Archaeologists have made a groundbreaking discovery in Peru, unearthing a 3,500-year-old city believed to have connected cultures from the Pacific coast to the Andes and Amazon.

Unveiled on Thursday, this ancient city served as a trading hub around the same time as the early civilizations of the Middle East and Asia. Its central location is marked by a circular structure situated on a hillside terrace.

Drone footage released by researchers reveals the remnants of stone and mud buildings, constructed approximately 600 meters above sea level, highlighting the architectural prowess of these ancient societies.

(With inputs from agencies.)

In Peru, a team of archaeologists, supported by the country’s Ministry of Culture, has announced the discovery of an impressive ancient urban settlement, dated between 1800 and 1500 BC.

It is the ancient city of Peñico, located in Barranca province, near the famous Caral civilization (dating back 5,000 years). Peñico probably served as an important trading hub between the cultures of coastal Peru, the Andes and the Amazon.

Eighteen constructions have been excavated, including public and residential buildings, erected in a strategic position on a natural terrace about 600 meters above sea level. Archaeologists say the city was built at the same time as the earliest civilizations of the Middle East and Asia, but there is no evidence of direct contact with them.

The center of the site is characterized by a large circular structure surrounded by stone and mud buildings, probably intended for ceremonial uses. Peruvian archaeologists Ruth Shady and Marco Machacuay Romero have confirmed Peñico’s role as a commercial and religious hub.

As Reuters reports, the scholars found ceremonial objects such as trumpet-shaped shells (pututu); beaded and shell necklaces; clay sculptures depicting humans and animals; and evidence evidence of ritual and domestic art.

Using drones, aerial images reveal the layout of the settlement, which includes a central plaza, ceremonial temples, and numerous dwellings.

According to the most recent investigations, Peñico would have arisen after the decline of the Caral civilization, perhaps as a result of extreme climatic events.

The discovery of Peñico offers a significant contribution to the understanding of ancient Andean civilizations: a carefully planned, strategically located city that testifies to the high level of social organization achieved in Peru at that time.

Archaeologists have made a groundbreaking discovery in Peru, unveiling a 3,500-year-old city that likely acted as a pivotal trading hub for Pacific coast cultures and those in the Andes and Amazon.

This ancient city flourished at the same time as early civilizations in the Middle East and Asia, according to researchers who released drone footage showing a circular structure at the city center.

The remnants of stone and mud buildings are situated on a hillside terrace, standing 600 meters above sea level, marking a significant archaeological find in the region.

(With inputs from agencies.)

Archaeologists discovered Peñico, a 3,500-year-old city in Peru, believed to be a key trading hub linked to ancient civilizations.

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Archaeologists have made a groundbreaking discovery in Peru’s Barranca province, unveiling an ancient city named Peñico, believed to be 3,500 years old. This remarkable find, announced on 2025-07-06 17:31:00, highlights the city’s role as a vital trading hub connecting early Pacific coast communities with those in the Andes and Amazon basin.

6 Key Takeaways Discovery of ancient city Peñico in Peru

Peñico served as a trading hub

Site located 200km north of Lima

Research uncovered 18 structures, including temples

Connection to Americas’ oldest civilization, Caral

Importance of trade with coastal and jungle societies

Located about 200 kilometers north of Lima, Peñico was founded between 1,800 and 1,500 BC, coinciding with the rise of early civilizations in the Middle East and Asia. The discovery sheds light on the fate of the Caral civilization, the oldest known in the Americas, and emphasizes the importance of Peñico in understanding historical trade networks.

Fast Answer: Archaeologists in Peru have uncovered Peñico, a 3,500-year-old city that reveals insights into ancient trade connections and the evolution of the Caral civilization.

This discovery raises intriguing questions about ancient civilizations and their adaptability. How did Peñico thrive in a changing climate? What can we learn from its strategic location for trade?

Peñico features 18 structures, including ceremonial temples and residences.

Artifacts found include clay sculptures and intricate necklaces.

The site is crucial for understanding the continuity of the Caral civilization.

This discovery underscores the global significance of Peru’s archaeological heritage, revealing connections between ancient societies that shaped the Americas.

As researchers continue to explore Peñico, we may uncover even more about the rich tapestry of human history in this region. What other secrets lie beneath the surface?

Archaeologists in Peru have made a groundbreaking discovery of a 3,500-year-old city that likely functioned as a key trading hub connecting cultures from the Pacific coast with the Andes and the Amazon.

Unveiled on Thursday, the ancient settlement thrived contemporaneously with early civilizations in the Middle East and Asia. This archaeological find is marked by a distinctive circular structure perched on a hillside terrace, offering a glimpse into a civilization’s architectural prowess.

Drone footage presented by researchers reveals the city center, featuring remnants of stone and mud buildings standing at an elevation of approximately 600 meters or 1,970 feet above sea level, providing insights into its historical significance and cultural linkages.

(With inputs from agencies.)