Latest news with #Andean-Amazonian
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Archaeologists Dug up a 3,500-Year-Old Lost City from the Americas' Oldest Civilization
Here's what you'll learn when you read this story: Archaeologists just unveiled the remains of a 3,500 year old city in Peru. After eight years of research, experts have unearthed 18 structures so far, including residential homes and ceremonial temples. Experts believe the city—since named Peñico—was once a thriving urban center optimized for trade with a connection to the Americas' oldest civilization. After eight long years of excavation and research, archaeologists finally unveiled a 3,500 year old city in Peru. Located in the Lima region, the city has since been named 'Peñico,' meaning the city of social integration. Experts believe that the city's builders strategically selected the location to facilitate trade between the coast, the highlands, and the jungle. 'This urban center developed following the cultural tradition of Caral,' Ruth Shady, director of the Caral Archeological Zone (ZAC), explained in a translated press release, referencing the Caral civilization, the oldest known civilization in the Americas. 'Due to its strategic location, it connected settlements on the coast and in the Supe and Huaura mountains, as well as those living in the Andean-Amazonian territory and the high Andean region.' The city sits nearly half of a mile above sea level and is surrounded by hills. According to experts, this would have optimized its monumentality, protected against disasters like flooding and mudslides, and promoted social interaction. Researchers believe that the urban area was established around 1800 B.C., 1,200 years after the Caral civilization was established around 3000 B.C. According to the BBC, Shady noted that climate change had devastated the ancient civilization, and Peñico was likely a continuation of Caral, since the former emerged in the same area soon after the latter's decline. Aerial images of Peñico show off the stone and mud ruins of the once-prosperous city. So far, archaeologists have discovered 18 structures at the site, perhaps the most notable of which is a building known as B2. Part of the large central plaza, the section (according to the press release) stands out for its impressive structural reliefs and designs, including the depiction of 'pututus'—conch shell trumpets that were an integral part of Andean society, and were used both during rituals and to convene meetings and make announcements. The artifacts recovered from the public building were just as notable as the building itself. Jewelry, tools, figurines, and ceremonial objects were all discovered at the site, according to the press release. Evidence suggests that the B2 building would have been a center for administrative and ideological gatherings, meaning that it was likely the most important building in the city (though archeologists also uncovered other residential and ceremonial buildings). Experts believe that the prosperity of Peñico could have been thanks to locals' use of hematite—a mineral that was important to Andean society, and often used to make red pigment for activities like pottery painting. According to the release, experts at the site think that inhabitants of the ancient city may have extracted and circulated the resource, making it a key part of the trade network in the Supe Valley. The discoveries at Peñico will not only enrich scholars' understanding of the Supe Valley, but will serve as a tool for public education. At the Ministry of Culture's press conference, Shady announced that Peñico is now one of the publicly-accessible archaeological sites managed by the ZAC. The ZAC also organized the first Peñico Raymi festival, which is scheduled for July 12. There, guests will be able to wander around an arts festival, celebrate local cultural heritage, and pay tribute to Pachamama (Mother Earth). You Might Also Like The Do's and Don'ts of Using Painter's Tape The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life?
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Newsweek
3,000-Year-Old Ancient City Discovered—And You Can Visit It
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. An ancient city has been unveiled by archaeologists in Peru. Located in the Huaura province, Peñico has opened to the public after nearly a decade of excavation and conservation efforts. Newsweek has contacted the Peruvian Ministry of Culture for comment via email. Why It Matters Ancient cities and cultures are a subject of fascination all over the world. Peru was home to a number of cultures in the ancient and medieval periods including the Inca Empire. Peru sees between 3 million and 5 million tourists visit each year, according to Road Genius, and it is home to the ancient Inca citadel, Machu Picchu. Image of Penico, from the Peruvian Ministry of Culture. Image of Penico, from the Peruvian Ministry of Culture. Peruvian Ministry of Culture What To Know Peñico is more than 3800 years old and was originally an urban center of social integration in the ancient world, linking coastal communities, according to a press release from the Peruvian Ministry of Culture. It was built about 2,000 feet above sea level. Research in the area has been conducted over a period of eight years. At a press conference held by Dr. Ruth Shady, director of the Caral Archaeological Zone, on July 3, the results of the research were unveiled. Image of Penico, from the Peruvian Ministry of Culture. Image of Penico, from the Peruvian Ministry of Culture. Peruvian Ministry of Culture Eighteen structures have been identified in Peñico, including what the press release described as "major" and "minor" public buildings. One includes a public building, which is known as B1-B2. Here, archaeologists uncovered clay sculptures, conch shell trumpets and ceremonial tools. The trumpet had a crucial function in society, the press release said, used "to convene meetings, announce important events and be considered as a symbol of social importance." The site is now open to tourists. It includes walking routes through the ruins, a modern interpretation center and reception areas. A traditional Andean festival called the Peñico Raymi will be held on July 12. The event will involve a "ceremony of payment to Pachamama," and "a recognition of the local population for their identification with cultural heritage and an artistic festival," according to a press release. What People Are Saying Archaeologist Shady Solís, in a press release: "This urban center developed following the cultural tradition of the Caral... Due to its strategic location, it connected coastal and mountain towns of Supe and Huaura, as well as those living in the Andean-Amazonian and the high Andean region." What Happens Next Peñico is about four and a half hours from Peru's capital city, Lima. It is open to the public Monday to Sunday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.
CNN
5 days ago
- CNN
Ancient Peruvian city more than 3,000 years old unveiled
An ancient Peruvian city that was a thriving hub of trade more than 3,000 years ago has been unveiled by archaeologists. Peñico is located in the Huaura province, north of the capital Lima, according to the Ministry of Culture in a press release sent to CNN. In what was the official opening to the public, details of the site were unveiled last week following eight years of excavation and conservation. Experts believe Peñico, founded around 1800 BC, served as a strategic urban center, linking the coastal communities of the Supe Valley with settlements in the high Andes and Amazon. It was built 600 meters above sea level, the ministry said in the release. 'This urban center developed following the cultural tradition of the Caral,' said Ruth Shady, lead researcher and director of the Caral Archaeological Zone (ZAC), which is attached to Peru's Ministry of Culture, in the release. 'Due to its strategic location, it connected coastal and mountain towns of Supe and Huaura, as well as those living in the Andean-Amazonian and the high Andean region,' Shady added. Some 18 structures have been identified in Peñico, the release says, including public buildings and residential units. One significant structure is a monumental public building known as B1-B3, where archaeologists uncovered clay sculptures, ceremonial tools, and conch-shell trumpets called 'pututus' – instruments that once echoed across ancient Andean landscapes to summon gatherings and invoke the gods. Researchers believe Peñico gained influence following the decline of Caral, one of the oldest civilizations in the Americas. Its prestige may have been tied to its role in the trade of hematite, a red pigment with symbolic meaning in Andean cosmology, according to the release. The site, now open for tourism, includes a modern interpretation center, reception areas and walking routes through the preserved ruins. The opening comes ahead of the first ever Peñico Raymi, a public festival set to be held on Saturday. The event will celebrate the site's cultural legacy with traditional rituals, art and a ceremony to honor the goddess Pachamama.
CNN
5 days ago
- CNN
Ancient Peruvian city more than 3,000 years old unveiled
An ancient Peruvian city that was a thriving hub of trade more than 3,000 years ago has been unveiled by archaeologists. Peñico is located in the Huaura province, north of the capital Lima, according to the Ministry of Culture in a press release sent to CNN. In what was the official opening to the public, details of the site were unveiled last week following eight years of excavation and conservation. Experts believe Peñico, founded around 1800 BC, served as a strategic urban center, linking the coastal communities of the Supe Valley with settlements in the high Andes and Amazon. It was built 600 meters above sea level, the ministry said in the release. 'This urban center developed following the cultural tradition of the Caral,' said Ruth Shady, lead researcher and director of the Caral Archaeological Zone (ZAC), which is attached to Peru's Ministry of Culture, in the release. 'Due to its strategic location, it connected coastal and mountain towns of Supe and Huaura, as well as those living in the Andean-Amazonian and the high Andean region,' Shady added. Some 18 structures have been identified in Peñico, the release says, including public buildings and residential units. One significant structure is a monumental public building known as B1-B3, where archaeologists uncovered clay sculptures, ceremonial tools, and conch-shell trumpets called 'pututus' – instruments that once echoed across ancient Andean landscapes to summon gatherings and invoke the gods. Researchers believe Peñico gained influence following the decline of Caral, one of the oldest civilizations in the Americas. Its prestige may have been tied to its role in the trade of hematite, a red pigment with symbolic meaning in Andean cosmology, according to the release. The site, now open for tourism, includes a modern interpretation center, reception areas and walking routes through the preserved ruins. The opening comes ahead of the first ever Peñico Raymi, a public festival set to be held on Saturday. The event will celebrate the site's cultural legacy with traditional rituals, art and a ceremony to honor the goddess Pachamama.
