Archaeologists have discovered the remains of what is believed to be a 4,000-year-old temple and theater in Peru. The find sheds new light on ancient civilizations and their religious practices.
Archaeologists Intervene in Northern Peru
Local authorities alerted experts to looting near the town of Zaña in northern Peru, prompting archaeologists to quickly intervene. According to a press release from the Field Museum in Chicago, the team began their investigation at the Otra Banda, Cerro Las Animas archaeological site in June.
Discovering Ancient Structures in Peru
The excavation covered a 33-foot square plot, digging six feet deep, where they identified ancient walls made of clay and mud. “It was so surprising that these very ancient structures were so close to the modern surface,” said Luis Muro Ynoñán, a research scientist at the Field Museum who led the team.
Unveiling a Pre Inca Civilization Temple
Further excavation revealed part of a large temple. One of the most exciting discoveries, according to Ynoñán, was a small theater with a backstage area and a staircase leading to a stage-like platform. This theater may have been used for ritual performances in front of a select audience.
Engraved Panels and Mythological Creatures
Elaborately engraved mud panels featuring a bird-like creature were found flanking one of the staircases. These panels resemble depictions of mythological creatures from the Initial Period (2,000 BCE to 900 BCE), a time when institutionalized religion began to emerge in Peru. “The find tells us about the early origins of religion in this area,” Ynoñán explained.
Murals and Radiocarbon Dating
The team also uncovered several large murals painted on the walls. Pigment samples from these murals will help determine the site’s age through radiocarbon dating. “We still know very little about how and under which circumstances complex belief systems emerged in the Andes,” Ynoñán said. “Now we have evidence of some of the earliest religious spaces that people were creating in this part of the world.”
Historical Discovery Predating Machu Picchu
These discoveries predate Peru’s most famous archaeological site, Machu Picchu, by approximately 3,500 years. Machu Picchu was an ancient city built by the Inca Empire in the 15th century CE, while this new site predates the pre-Inca Moche and Nazca cultures.
Insights into Ancient Peru’s Social Structures
“We don’t know what these people called themselves, or how other people referred to them. All we know about them comes from what they created: their houses, temples, and funerary goods,” Ynoñán added. “The people here created complex religious systems and perceptions about their cosmos. Religion was an important aspect of the emergence of political authority.”
Significance of the Archaeological Findings
This remarkable discovery provides valuable insights into the early development of religion and social structures in ancient Peru.
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