3500-Year-Old City Unearthed In Peru

Archaeologists have discovered a 3,500-year-old ancient city in Peru's northern Barranca province. Named as Peñico, the city is believed to be a key trading hub between Pacific coast communities and those living in the Andes mountains and Amazon basin. The city is thought to have been founded between 1800 and 1500 BC, aligning with the rise of early civilizations in the Middle East and Asia.

Researchers believed the site could represent one of the oldest civilizations in the Americas. Drone footage released by the team shows a central circular structure built on a hillside terrace, surrounded by the remains of stone and mud buildings located approximately 600 meters above sea level. The discovery follows an eight-year excavation that uncovered 18 structures, including ceremonial temples and residential buildings. Archaeologists also discovered several ceremonial objects, clay sculptures of human and animal figures, and necklaces made from beads and seashells.

Peñico is situated close to the oldest known civilisation in the Americas, Caral, which was established around 3000 BC in Peru's Supe Valley. Caral is renowned for its 32 monumental structures, including large pyramids, complex irrigation systems, and urban settlements. Dr. Ruth Shady, who led the recent research into Peñico and the excavation of Caral in the 1990s, emphasised the importance of the new discovery in understanding the fate of the Caral civilisation, which was wiped out by the climate change.