PERU REVEALS INFORMATION ABOUT A NEWLY DISCOVERED 3,800-YEAR-OLD ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE
Some of the most well-known archaeological sites in the world can be found in Peru, such as the mysterious Nazca lines, the vibrant wall paintings of Pañamarca, and Machu Picchu, the nation's most visited monument. The list of mysterious locations in Peru has now been expanded to include a brand-new discovery. New information about Peñico, a 3,800-year-old site that was just discovered, has been released by the Ministry of Culture.
Located 124 miles north of Lima, the capital of Peru, Peñico is thought to have been established between 1800 and 1500 BCE. Archaeologists refer to it as the "city of social integration" because it was once a hub for trade between tribes in the jungle, mountains, and coast.
According to Dr. Ruth Shady, who oversaw the excavation work, "this urban centre developed following the cultural heritage of Caral." The location of Caral, which has long been considered the earliest civilisation in the Americas, is 7.5 miles from Peñico. Caral was founded in 3000 BCE, and climate change has been blamed for its demise. Archaeologists now anticipate that additional answers will come from the discovery of Peñico, who is regarded as the heir to the splendour of Caral.
“Due to its strategic location,” Dr. Shady explains, “it linked the coastal and highland villages of Supe and Huaura, as well as those living in the Andean-Amazonian territory with the high Andean space of the region.” At 1,970 feet above sea level, Peruvian archaeologists believe the location of Peñico was chosen to protect against floods and landslides, promote an engaging environment, and make its architecture stand out. It is also possible that Peñico had an important role in trading thanks to the extraction and commercialisation of hematite in the area. This mineral, used to make a red pigment, is very important in the Andean cosmology.
Researchers first learned about Peñico eight years ago and carried out the excavations with the help of locals. They discovered eighteen buildings there, including a variety of public buildings, residential complexes, and ceremonial temples. The most remarkable of these was a round building on a terrace on the hillside, adjacent to the remains of mud and stone structures. The archaeologists also discovered religious artefacts, human and animal-shaped clay sculptures, and necklaces fashioned from seashells and beads.
According to the Ministry of Culture, the Peñico archaeological site is now accessible to the general public and will be managed by the same group that oversees Caral. A traditional Andean celebration known as Peñico Raymi was held on July 12 to greet the region's first visitors.