Discovery of 3,500-Year-Old City Peñico Unveiled in Peru

Tue Oct 21 2025 03:46:56 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Archaeologists have unveiled Peñico, an ancient city that sheds light on early American civilizations and trade networks.

The recent discovery in Peru's Barranca province has opened new insights into the link between early communities along the Pacific coast and those in the Andes and Amazon, dating back to 1,800-1,500 BC.

Archaeologists working in Peru's northern Barranca province have made a groundbreaking discovery, announcing the finding of an ancient city named Peñico that dates back 3,500 years. Situated approximately 200 kilometers north of Lima, Peñico is believed to have functioned as a vital trading hub, facilitating connections between early Pacific coast communities and those residing in the Andean mountains and the Amazon basin.

This significant archaeological site is perched at around 600 meters (1,970 feet) above sea level and is thought to have been established between 1,800 and 1,500 BC — a period coinciding with the rise of early civilizations across the Middle East and Asia. Researchers believe that the findings at Peñico provide valuable insights into the fate of the Americas' oldest civilization, the Caral.

Drone footage released by the team shows a central circular structure atop a hillside terrace, encircled by remnants of stone and mud buildings. Over the course of eight years of research, 18 structures have been uncovered, including ceremonial temples and residential complexes. Notable artifacts found at the site include ceremonial items, clay sculptures depicting humans and animals, and intricately crafted necklaces made from beads and seashells.

Peñico's location is particularly significant, as it lies close to the ancient site of Caral, recognized as the oldest known civilization in the Americas, established around 5,000 years ago circa 3,000 BC in the Supe Valley of Peru. Caral itself is known for its 32 monumental structures, advanced irrigation systems, and urban settlements, believed to have nurtured its culture in relative isolation compared to its contemporaneous counterparts in India, Egypt, Sumeria, and China.

Dr. Ruth Shady, the leading archaeologist behind the recent Peñico discovery and excavator of Caral in the 1990s, emphasized the importance of this finding for understanding the legacy of the Caral civilization following its decline due to climate change. According to Dr. Shady, Peñico was strategically positioned for trade and exchange with various societies from the coastal, highland, and jungle regions.

At a press conference on Thursday, archaeologist Marco Machacuay from the Ministry of Culture highlighted the significance of Peñico as a continuation of the Caral society. The richness of Peru's archaeological history includes other monumental sites like the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu and the enigmatic Nazca Lines, making it an essential location for the study of ancient civilizations.