Latest news with #Pachamama
Kuwait Times
14-07-2025
- General
- Kuwait Times
Peruvian citadel that is nearly 4,000 years old opens doors to tourists
This handout picture shows the citadel of Peñico, located in the province of Huaura, Lima department, Peru. After 8 years of research, it will be opened to the public.--AFP photos To the music of conch shell trumpets, a 3,800-year-old citadel of the Caral civilization -- one of the oldest in the world -- opened its doors to visitors in Peru on Saturday, after eight years of study and restoration work. The archaeological site, known as Penico, was a meeting point for trade between the first human communities on the Pacific coast and those from the Andes and Amazon regions, researchers have said. Located in the Supe valley, some 110 miles (180 kilometers) north of the Peruvian capital Lima and around 12 miles from the Pacific ocean, Penico was a hilly landscape before exploration work began in 2017. Archaeologists believe it could hold insights into why the Caral civilization -- which flourished between 3,000 and 1,800 BC -- faded. This handout picture shows the citadel of Peñico, located in the province of Huaura, Lima department, Peru. After 8 years of research, it will be opened to the public. Aerial view of the citadel of Penico, located in the province of Huaura, Lima Department, Peru. Aerial view of the citadel of Penico, located in the province of Huaura, Lima Department, Peru. People visit the citadel of Penico, located in the province of Huaura, Lima Department, Peru. Aerial view of the citadel of Penico, located in the province of Huaura, Lima Department, Peru. Aerial view of the citadel of Penico, located in the province of Huaura, Lima Department, Peru. At the opening ceremony, artists from the region played pututus -- the traditional shell trumpets -- during an ancestral ritual offering to the Pachamama, Mother Earth, consisting of agricultural products, coca leaves and local drinks. Penico was an 'organized urban center devoted to agriculture and trade between the coast, the mountains and the forest,' archaeologist Ruth Shady, who leads research on the site, told AFP. The site itself dates back to between 1,800 and 1,500 BC, she added. It was built on a geological terrace 2,000 feet (600 meters) above sea level, parallel to a river to avoid flooding. Research carried out by the Peruvian Ministry of Culture has identified 18 constructions, including buildings and residential complexes. Researchers believe that it was built at the same time as the first civilizations in the Middle East and Asia. Shady said researchers are hoping the site can shed light on the crisis they think helped hasten the end of the Caral civilization. This crisis, she said, was linked to climatic changes that led to droughts and affected agricultural activities in the region. 'We want to understand how the Caral civilization formed and developed over time, and how it came to be in crisis as a result of climate change,' she added.—AFP
Khaleej Times
13-07-2025
- Science
- Khaleej Times
Peruvian citadel that is nearly 4,000 years old opens doors to tourists
To the music of conch shell trumpets, a 3,800-year-old citadel of the Caral civilization -- one of the oldest in the world -- opened its doors to visitors in Peru on Saturday, after eight years of study and restoration work. The archaeological site, known as Penico, was a meeting point for trade between the first human communities on the Pacific coast and those from the Andes and Amazon regions, researchers have said. Located in the Supe valley, some 110 miles (180 kilometers) north of the Peruvian capital Lima and around 12 miles from the Pacific ocean, Penico was a hilly landscape before exploration work began in 2017. Archaeologists believe it could hold insights into why the Caral civilization -- which flourished between 3,000 and 1,800 BC -- faded. At the opening ceremony, artists from the region played pututus -- the traditional shell trumpets -- during an ancestral ritual offering to the Pachamama, Mother Earth, consisting of agricultural products, coca leaves and local drinks. Penico was an "organized urban center devoted to agriculture and trade between the coast, the mountains and the forest," archaeologist Ruth Shady, who leads research on the site, told AFP. The site itself dates back to between 1,800 and 1,500 BC, she added. It was built on a geological terrace 2000 feet (600 meters) above sea level, parallel to a river to avoid flooding. Research carried out by the Peruvian Ministry of Culture has identified 18 constructions, including buildings and residential complexes. Researchers believe that it was built at the same time as the first civilizations in the Middle East and Asia. Shady said researchers are hoping the site can shed light on the crisis they think helped hasten the end of the Caral civilization. This crisis, she said, was linked to climatic changes that led to droughts and affected agricultural activities in the region. "We want to understand how the Caral civilization formed and developed over time, and how it came to be in crisis as a result of climate change," she added.
Malay Mail
13-07-2025
- Science
- Malay Mail
Peru opens 3,800-year-old Caral citadel Penico to visitors after eight years of study and restoration
CARAL, July 13 — To the music of conch shell trumpets, a 3,800-year-old citadel of the Caral civilization—one of the oldest in the world—opened its doors to visitors in Peru yesterday, after eight years of study and restoration work. The archaeological site, known as Penico, was a meeting point for trade between the first human communities on the Pacific coast and those from the Andes and Amazon regions, researchers have said. Located in the Supe valley, some 110 miles (180 kilometers) north of the Peruvian capital Lima and around 12 miles from the Pacific ocean, Penico was a hilly landscape before exploration work began in 2017. Archaeologists believe it could hold insights into why the Caral civilization—which flourished between 3,000 and 1,800 BC—faded. At the opening ceremony, artists from the region played pututus—the traditional shell trumpets—during an ancestral ritual offering to the Pachamama, Mother Earth, consisting of agricultural products, coca leaves and local drinks. Penico was an 'organized urban center devoted to agriculture and trade between the coast, the mountains and the forest,' archaeologist Ruth Shady, who leads research on the site, told AFP. The site itself dates back to between 1,800 and 1,500 BC, she added. It was built on a geological terrace 2000 feet (600 meters) above sea level, parallel to a river to avoid flooding. Research carried out by the Peruvian Ministry of Culture has identified 18 constructions, including buildings and residential complexes. Researchers believe that it was built at the same time as the first civilizations in the Middle East and Asia. Shady said researchers are hoping the site can shed light on the crisis they think helped hasten the end of the Caral civilization. This crisis, she said, was linked to climatic changes that led to droughts and affected agricultural activities in the region. 'We want to understand how the Caral civilization formed and developed over time, and how it came to be in crisis as a result of climate change,' she added. — AFP
Iraqi News
12-07-2025
- Science
- Iraqi News
Peruvian citadel that is nearly 4,000 years old opens doors to tourists
Caral – To the music of conch shell trumpets, a 3,800-year-old citadel of the Caral civilization — one of the oldest in the world — opened its doors to visitors in Peru on Saturday, after eight years of study and restoration work. The archaeological site, known as Penico, was a meeting point for trade between the first human communities on the Pacific coast and those from the Andes and Amazon regions, researchers have said. Located in the Supe valley, some 110 miles (180 kilometers) north of the Peruvian capital Lima and around 12 miles from the Pacific ocean, Penico was a hilly landscape before exploration work began in 2017. Archaeologists believe it could hold insights into why the Caral civilization — which flourished between 3,000 and 1,800 BC — faded. At the opening ceremony, artists from the region played pututus — the traditional shell trumpets — during an ancestral ritual offering to the Pachamama, Mother Earth, consisting of agricultural products, coca leaves and local drinks. Penico was an 'organized urban center devoted to agriculture and trade between the coast, the mountains and the forest,' archaeologist Ruth Shady, who leads research on the site, told AFP. The site itself dates back to between 1,800 and 1,500 BC, she added. It was built on a geological terrace 2000 feet (600 meters) above sea level, parallel to a river to avoid flooding. Research carried out by the Peruvian Ministry of Culture has identified 18 constructions, including buildings and residential complexes. Researchers believe that it was built at the same time as the first civilizations in the Middle East and Asia. Shady said researchers are hoping the site can shed light on the crisis they think helped hasten the end of the Caral civilization. This crisis, she said, was linked to climatic changes that led to droughts and affected agricultural activities in the region. 'We want to understand how the Caral civilization formed and developed over time, and how it came to be in crisis as a result of climate change,' she added.
Newsweek
09-07-2025
- 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.
