27 May 2025 The Future is the Product of the Past

5,000-year-old Ceremonial Temple Discovered in Peru

Archaeologists from the Peru Ministry of Culture have discovered an ancient ceremonial temple complex at Los Paredones de la Otra Banda – Las Ánimas Archaeological Complex near Nazca, Peru.

During excavations at two archaeological units on the site, researchers discovered the first evidence of monumental religious architecture dating back to the formative period.

The Inca civilization was well-known for its sophisticated architectural accomplishments and wide-ranging influence throughout the Andean region prior to the Spanish conquest. However, according to this discovery, the region’s sophisticated building techniques date back several millennia before the Incas.

During Topa Inca Yupanqui’s rule (AD 1471–1393), the tenth Sapa Inca of the Inca Empire and the fifth of the Hanan dynasty, Los Paredones served as an Inca administrative center. The town was built by the Incas not far from the famous Nazca lines in the Nazca Desert and Cahuachi, the ceremonial hub of the Nazca civilization.

After excavations began on June 3, the researchers discovered what was left of the walls of a multistory temple. According to a translated statement from the Peruvian Ministry of Culture, wedged between the walls were the skeletons of three adults.

A carving of a human with a bird’s head and a painting were found at the ancient temple. Photo:  Peru Ministry of Culture
A carving of a human with a bird’s head and a painting were found at the ancient temple. Photo: Peru Ministry of Culture

Archaeologists estimate that the walls of the temple date back about 5,000 years.  These ancient structures were constructed using smashed mud, demonstrating the advanced building methods employed by early civilizations in the region.

Several noteworthy features are revealed by the archaeological findings at the religious site. The main feature is a staircase that leads up to a platform or stage, which is probably meant to serve as the focal point of rituals. It is especially intriguing to find an anthropomorphized carving that incorporates features from several species. This unusual artifact depicts a figure with a human body, a bird’s head, feline features, and claws that resemble reptiles.

According to a translated statement from the Peruvian Ministry of Culture, wedged between the walls were the skeletons of three adults. Photo:  Peru Ministry of Culture
According to a translated statement from the Peruvian Ministry of Culture, wedged between the walls were the skeletons of three adults. Photo: Peru Ministry of Culture

These results have led researchers to the conclusion that special ceremonies were probably held in this space. Archaeologists discovered a color painting that is still intact on one of the temple walls, adding to the historical significance of the site and shedding light on the artistic practices of the era.

The burials, which contain offerings wrapped in cloth, offer evidence that this could have been the site of a sacrificial ritual.

Researchers also unearthed another monument dating to sometime between A.D. 600 and 700, which would have been during Peru’s Moche period.

A carving of a human with a bird’s head found at the ancient temple. Photo:  Peru Ministry of Culture
A carving of a human with a bird’s head found at the ancient temple. Photo: Peru Ministry of Culture

The Moche people, who offered human sacrifices, are renowned for their elaborate temples and exquisite artwork, which includes goblets fashioned like human heads made of ceramic.

Peru Ministry of Culture

Cover Photo: Peru Ministry of Culture

Related Articles

Thousand-year-old bone skate discovered in Czech Republic

20 March 2024

20 March 2024

Archaeologists from the central Moravian city of Přerov, Czech Republic have announced a unique discovery. While carrying out excavations in...

A 7,500-year-old settlement has been discovered in Turkey’s Domuztepe Mound

11 September 2021

11 September 2021

During the most recent excavations at Domuztepe Mound in the Türkoğlu district of southern Turkey’s Kahramanmaraş province, a settlement and...

Swiss Scientists Identify Arrowhead Made from a Meteoritic Iron

1 August 2023

1 August 2023

In a recent study of archaeological collections in the Lake Biel region in Switzerland, an arrowhead from the Bronze Age,...

1600-Year-Old Geometric Motifs Mosaic Found in Yavne

26 April 2021

26 April 2021

The Israel Antiquities Authority declared Monday that a 1,600-year-old mosaic discovered in Yavne, which archaeologists believe may have once graced...

Researchers explored a rock art site near Idupulapaya in India

1 October 2021

1 October 2021

A rock art site was discovered near Idupulapaya in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Rock paintings from the Megalithic...

Do Byzantine coins Record the Supernova of 1054?

25 June 2022

25 June 2022

SN 1054 was one of the most spectacular astronomical events of all time. The supernova explosion eventually formed what is...

Unique Roman Cavalry Parade Helmet Recreated

6 April 2024

6 April 2024

Two replicas have been created of the gilded silver unique Roman cavalry helmet that amateur archaeologists found in 2001 while...

The Jinn of Girnavaz Mound

6 February 2021

6 February 2021

Girnavaz mound is in the north of Nusaybin district of Mardin province and Nusaybin 4 km is away. It is...

A 3,600-Year-Old Bronze Minoan Dagger Discovered in Antalya Underwater Excavation

29 August 2024

29 August 2024

A bronze dagger with silver rivets that dates to the Minoan civilization approximately 3,600 years ago was discovered during an...

DNA from human remains found in medieval well shines new light into a significant historical crime and into Ashkenazi Jewish history

30 November 2022

30 November 2022

An analysis of DNA from 12th-century human remains has provided new insights into a significant historical crime and into Ashkenazi...

Unique Ancient Bronze Miniature Portrait Of Alexander The Great Found In Ringsted On The Island Of Zealand, Denmark

12 April 2024

12 April 2024

Two amateur archaeologists have made a unique find near Ringsted in the Danish island of Zealand. A sign that one...

Unusual construction material may be linked to the Tower of Babel

5 November 2021

5 November 2021

Archaeologists have recently discovered bitumen and mortar plastered onto a brick dating back to the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar II. This...

A massive Rune stone found under a kitchen floor in Denmark declared treasure

8 June 2023

8 June 2023

A couple in Denmark discovered a massive rune stone weighing approximately 900 kilograms during a home renovation project that planned...

In Germany, a well-preserved octagonal tower unearthed, which may have been inspired by towers on the city walls of Constantinople

5 September 2023

5 September 2023

During excavations at Neuenburg Castle near the town of Freyburg (Burgenlandkreis) in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt, the extraordinarily well-preserved,...

New AI Tool ‘Fragmentarium’ Brings Ancient Babylonian Texts Together

6 February 2023

6 February 2023

An artificial intelligence (AI) bot was developed by linguists at the Institute for Assyriology at Ludwig Maximilian University in Germany...