Peruvian archaeologists reveal a 3,500-year-old city that connects the coast to the Andes
Archaeologists unveiled cities that flourished 3,500 years ago, connecting Pacific Coast culture with people from the Amazon.
Archaeologists unveiled a 3,500-year-old city in Peru on Thursday, possibly a trade center that connects Pacific coast culture with people in the Andes and Amazon, thriving around the same time as early civilizations in the Middle East and Asia.
Drone video released by researchers showed that the city center is marked by a circular structure on a hillside terrace, with remains of stone and dirt buildings built at an altitude of about 600 meters (1,970 feet).
The city center, named Peñico, is located in the northern province of Baranca and was established between 1,800 and 1,500 BC. It is close to the oldest Caral civilization in the Americas 5,000 years ago.
The Caral, composed of 32 monumental structures, is considered to be the contemporary civilization of Egypt, India, Sumer and Chinese civilizations. But, unlike them, it is completely isolated.
Ruth Shady, an archaeologist who leads the study of Penico, said the newly unveiled city is key because experts believe it emerged after climate change was destroyed.
Rafael Gordillo Mendez reveals the painted surface of the pillars at the archaeological site of Panamacar. (Credit: Paisajes arquelogicos de panamarca – Reuters' Lisa Trever/Handout)
“They are located in strategic trading locations, communicating with the shores, highlands and jungle societies,” Shady said.
The continuation of Karal society
Marco Machacuay, a researcher at the Ministry of Culture, said in a press conference that the importance of Penico is that it is a continuation of Karal society.
After eight years of research, researchers have discovered up to 18 structures in Penico, including ritual temples and residential complexes.
The walls of a central square stand out, winning the relief of the sculpture and description of the Uttutu, a small trumpet of a conch shell whose sound is over a long distance.
In other buildings, they added that in the context of the researchers found clay sculptures of figures and animal figures, ritual objects and necklaces made of beads and shells.
Peru is the center of ancient culture and is also home to archaeological sites, such as the Inca site of Machu Picchu in Cusco and the mysterious Nazca line along the desert area on the country's central coast.
