Archaeologists working in Peru’s Supe Valley have uncovered compelling evidence of how the Americas’ oldest known civilization weathered a devastating climate crisis 4,000 years ago. The recent discovery of Peñico, a 3,800-year-old settlement, reveals that the ancient Caral people responded to prolonged drought by relocating and adapting rather than engaging in violent conflict over dwindling
A decades-old archaeological puzzle in Peru’s Pisco Valley may finally have an answer. More than 5,200 circular depressions carved into the hillsides of Monte Sierpe have baffled scientists since aerial photographs revealed their existence in 1933. Advanced drone mapping and soil analysis now point to a surprising dual purpose: an ancient trading hub that imperial
For as long as humans have ventured into the seas, we’ve shared the waters together with sharks. These remarkable creatures hold the title for the world’s oldest evolutionary history of any living apex predator, with roots stretching back at least 400 million years—way older than the dinosaurs. While shark attacks are rare and often misunderstood,
A team of archaeologists and researchers have found something in the valley holding Peru’s, (and South America’s) oldest civilization. A new pyramid has been found in the Supe valley, home to the truly ancient Caral culture, and it may be older than the Great Pyramids of Egypt. The Caral were among the very first civilizations
Something long rumored but hitherto unknown has been found in the heart of the Incan empire. For centuries stories existed of a secret tunnel network, an Incan labyrinth underneath their mountain capital of Cusco. Now, archaeologists Jorge Calero and Mildred Fernández have announced that they have turned rumor into reality. Using ground penetrating radar they
A study of ancient mummies in Peru has revealed a new layer to the social and cultural complexity of the Chancay culture. Researchers have been studying the mummies of the Chancay, using laser stimulated fluorescence to reveal the intricate but faded tattoos that often adorn them. The study, headed by Michael Pittman from the Chinese