Obscured by just six feet of sand, an ancient ceremonial temple and theater were excavated by archaeologists in northern Peru. The discovery, which predates Machu Picchu by 3,500 years, provides new clues about the early origins of religion in Peru.
Ancient Temple Found in Northern Peru Sand Dune
The archaeological site was uncovered in a sand dune at La Otra Banda, Cerro Las Animas, in northern Peru. Scientist Luis Muro Ynoñán and his archaeological team began studying the site in June. The local government had informed the team of looting taking place in the area and urged them to study it. Just six feet beneath the sand, the team discovered the signs of ancient walls made of clay and mud. “It was so surprising that these very ancient structures were so close to the modern surface,” said Muro Ynoñan.
Then, the archaeologists dug deeper to discover evidence of an ancient temple and theater. “We think that a large temple was built into the side of the mountain, and we’ve found one section of it,” explained Muro Ynoñan in a press release. “One of the most exciting things we found was a small theater, with a backstage area and a staircase that led to a stage-like platform. This could have been used to perform ritual performances in front of a selected audience.”
Bird Carving Dates Peru Temple Back 4,000 Years
Archaeologists also found a decorative bird-like figure etched into a mud panel on one of the ancient theater’s staircases. “It’s a very beautiful and, at the same time, intriguing design of a mythological creature,” said Muro Ynoñán. “It’s like an anthropomorphic bird, but with some reptilian features.” Based on similar findings in the region, the archaeological team used this bird to date the site back to the Initial Period, around 4,000 years ago.
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Muro Ynoñán explained, “The Initial Period is important because it’s when we first start to see evidence of an institutionalized religion in Peru. The bird creature at this temple resembles a figure known from the Chavín region, nearly 500 years later. This new site could help reveal the origins of this religion.”
Peru Temple Significantly Predates Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu, which the Inca Empire built about 600 years ago, is Peru’s most famous archaeological site. The ancient temple predates the “Lost City of the Incas” by roughly 3,500 years. It was built by ancient predecessors of the Inca Empire. Muro Ynoñán said, “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.”
Muro Ynoñán emphasized the historical significance of the ancient temple. “This discovery tells us about the early origins of religion in Peru,” he said. “We still know very little about how and under which circumstances complex belief systems emerged in the Andes, and now we have evidence about some of the earliest religious spaces that people were creating in this part of the world.”
