Incredible ancient lost city from 3,500-years-ago home to the Americas' oldest civilization uncovered in Peru
The ancient city of Peñico is thought to have been a vital link between early Pacific coast settlements and remote communities deep in the
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Aerial view of the archaeological zone in the northern Barranca province as archaeologists on Thursday unveiled a 3,500-year-old city in Peru
Credit: Reuters
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It is believed to date back to between 1,800 and 1,500 BC
Credit: Reuters
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Archaeologists say the discovery sheds light on what became of the Americas' oldest civilisation
Credit: Reuters
Located in the northern Barranca province - around 120 miles north of
It is believed to date back to between 1,800 and 1,500 BC - around the period that early civilisations were flourishing in the
Incredible
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After eight years of research 18 structures were found including ceremonial temples and residential complexes.
Objects were also discovered in buildings at the site including ceremonial objects, clay sculptures of human and animal figures and necklaces made from beads and seashells.
Peñico is located close to where Caral was established 5,000 years ago in the Supe valley of
Recognised as the oldest known civilisation in the Americas, Caral features 32 monuments.
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Most read in The US Sun
This includes large pyramid structures, sophisticated irrigation agriculture and urban settlements.
It is believed to have developed in isolation to other comparative early civilisations in
Ancient Pompeii home unseen for 2,000 YEARS finally unearthed
Dr Ruth Shady, the
She told the Reuters news agency that the Peñico community was "situated in a strategic location for trade, for exchange with societies from the coast, the highlands and the jungle."
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Archaeologist Marco Machacuay, a researcher with the Ministry of Culture, unveiled the findings at news conference on Thursday.
He said that Peñico's importance lies in it being a continuation of the Caral society.
Many of the Americas' most significant archaeological discoveries have been found in Peru.
This includes the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu in the Andes and the mysterious Nazca lines etched into the desert in southern Peru.
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Peñico is believed to have developed in isolation to other comparative early civilisations
Credit: Reuters
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