Ancient temple discovered in Peru

Prior to the Spanish conquest of Peru, the Inca civilization was renowned for its expansive and elaborate constructions throughout the Andes. Notable examples include Machu Picchu, the bustling capital of Cusco, and a sophisticated network of roads connecting various villages. These were considered remarkable engineering achievements of their time. However, millennia before the Inca reached their zenith, other cultures were credited with constructing temples into the mountains. A new discovery has been made at the Los Paredones de la Otra Banda - Las Ánimas Archaeological Complex, located near Chiclayo. According to a June 27 news release from the Ministry of Culture, archaeologists have unearthed the remains of a religious monument from the Formative Period, estimated to be around 5,000 years old. The temple walls are made of crushed mud.
 

The site features a central staircase leading to a stage or platform. Archaeologists also found an anthropomorphic carving depicting a figure with a human body, bird’s head, feline features, and reptilian claws. Researchers believe this space was used for special ceremonies, and a painted mural still adorns one of the temple walls.

Additionally, at a nearby site, archaeologists discovered another ceremonial temple from the late Moche period, dating from 600 to 700 A.D. This site includes buttresses at the base of a large stepped platform. A child’s burial, estimated to be between 5 and 6 years old, was also discovered, dating from a later period. Chiclayo is situated on Peru’s western coast, about 480 miles north of Lima.