Archaeologists Discover 3,500-Year-Old City in Peru
Archaeologists have announced the discovery of the ancient city of Pénjico, estimated to be 3,500 years old, in the northern Peruvian province of Barranca. It is believed to have served as a key trading hub connecting early communities along the Pacific coast with those living in the Andes and the Amazon.
Located about 200 km north of Lima, the site is thought to have been founded between 1800 and 1500 BCE, around the same time early civilizations were flourishing in the Middle East and Asia. Researchers say the discovery sheds light on what happened to the oldest known civilization in the Americas – the Caral civilization.
Over eight years of research at the site, 18 structures have been uncovered, including temples and residential complexes. Drone footage released by the researchers shows a circular structure on a hillside in the center of the city, surrounded by the remains of stone and adobe buildings.
At the site, researchers discovered ceremonial artifacts, clay sculptures of human and animal figures, and necklaces made of beads and shells.
Dr. Ruth Shady, the archaeologist who led the recent investigation of Pénjico and the excavations of Caral in the 1990s, said the discovery is important for understanding what happened to the Caral civilization after it was destroyed by climate change.
