15 May 2025 The Future is the Product of the Past

Archaeologists Discover a New Pyramid from the Caral Culture, Known as South America’s Oldest Civilization

The team from the Caral Archaeological Zone has discovered a new pyramidal structure in the “Sector F” of the Chupacigarro archaeological site, located one kilometer west of the Sacred City of Caral-Supe, a World Heritage site, in the Supe Valley, Barranca province, Lima Region, Peru.

The discovery was made by a multidisciplinary team from the Caral Archaeological Zone, led by Dr. Ruth Shady. Originally covered with huarango trees and bushes, the structure later revealed stone walls with at least three superimposed platforms and large ‘huancas’ (vertical stones) marking the corners of the building.

The structure, which is quadrangular in shape, features a central staircase that allows access to its summit. The “huancas” served not only a structural function but also a symbolic one, highlighting the ceremonial importance of the site.

The site contains 12 public or ceremonial structures distributed across hills, presided over by a Main Building with a sunken circular plaza. Additionally, residential areas have been identified on the periphery, suggesting a small urban center of 38.59 hectares with both public and private functions.

Chupacigarro is situated adjacent to a small water ravine, in proximity to the Sacred City of Caral Supe. The recently uncovered pyramid is an integral component of a broader network of architectural structures identified across multiple archaeological sites within the Supe Valley region.


In the walls, archaeologists discovered large rocks that had been placed vertically, which they have named “huancas”. Credit: Zona Arqueológica Caral
In the walls, archaeologists discovered large rocks that had been placed vertically, which they have named “huancas”. Credit: Zona Arqueológica Caral

The twelve identified structures, classified as either public or ceremonial edifices, are strategically dispersed throughout the landscape, positioned atop the small hills that characterize the ravine and encircling a central communal space. These constructions were erected by the Caral civilization, which thrived in ancient Peru from approximately 3000 to 1800 B.C.

The Caral civilization is one of the oldest and most advanced civilizations in ancient Peru, existing between approximately 3000 and 1800 B.C. in the Supe Valley. This civilization made significant advancements in agriculture, architecture, and social organization. Caral is known for its large pyramids, public buildings, and complex social structures. Additionally, while Caral did not use a written language, it possessed a complex social hierarchy and trade network. These characteristics contributed to Caral’s prominent status among Andean civilizations.

The architectural structures at the Chupacigarro site exhibit a diverse range of sizes, orientations, and formal characteristics, suggesting a correlation with their functional purposes. Notably, residential architecture has been identified along the periphery of the site. A prominent building oversees a series of smaller structures, featuring a sunken circular plaza that is characteristic of this historical period.

These significant findings have prompted experts to assert the existence of a small urban settlement that once thrived in the area, which spans nearly 38.59 hectares. Under the leadership of Dr. Ruth Shady, the research team responsible for the Chupacigarro discovery is now set to undertake a comprehensive mapping of the entire site to gain a clearer understanding of its overall dimensions and significance.


Archaeologists excavating the Chupacigarro archaeological site discovered a previously unknown quadrangular pyramidal structure, designated as Sector F, covering an area of 38.59 hectares. Credit: Zona Arqueológica Caral
Archaeologists excavating the Chupacigarro archaeological site discovered a previously unknown quadrangular pyramidal structure, designated as Sector F, covering an area of 38.59 hectares. Credit: Zona Arqueológica Caral

In addition to the architectural findings at Chupacigarro, one of the most remarkable discoveries is a geoglyph depicting a profile head in the Sechín style, which can only be observed from a specific vantage point. This significant finding underscores the ritual and symbolic importance of Chupacigarro, suggesting a connection to the Sacred City of Caral and the coastal populations of the Huaura Valley.

The geoglyph indicates that the site may have served as a focal point for cultural and ceremonial activities, facilitating access to both marine and agricultural resources that were vital to the communities in the region.

Peruvian Ministry of Culture

Cover Image Credit: Gob.pe

Related Articles

Europe’s oldest grave of a newborn girl found in İtaly

15 December 2021

15 December 2021

An international team of researchers has found Europe’s oldest tomb of a newborn girl, dating back 10,000 years, in Liguria....

Bronze Age Petroglyphs discovered in Kazakhstan

1 May 2024

1 May 2024

Volunteers in Kazakhstan have discovered new petroglyphs from the Bronze Age. The rock carvings were found by volunteers of the...

Glazed Bricks with Bull and Dragon Motifs Discovered at Persepolis

17 December 2021

17 December 2021

A team of Iranian and Italian archaeologists recently unearthed some glazed bricks bearing bull and dragon motifs in the ancient...

700-Year-Old Church Becomes a Museum

31 January 2021

31 January 2021

It was learned that the 7-century-old church in Akçaabat, Trabzon will serve as a museum from now on. St. The...

Derinkuyu: A Subterranean Marvel of Ancient Engineering with 18 Levels and Capacity for 20,000 Inhabitants

2 May 2025

2 May 2025

Beneath the sun-drenched plains of Cappadocia, where otherworldly “fairy chimney” rock formations pierce the sky, lies a secret world carved...

2,000-year-old stone faces and engravings emerge amid severe drought in Amazon

24 October 2023

24 October 2023

As a result of record-low water levels brought on by the region’s worst drought in over a century, faces carved...

1-meter tall bronze statue found in China’s Sanxingdui Ruins-Video

17 June 2022

17 June 2022

Chinese archaeologists have discovered a 1-meter tall bronze statue at the site of ancient Sanxingdui ruins site in southwest China’s...

Secrets of the Ancient Walls: 1,700-Year-Old Roman Altar Unearthed at Vuçak Castle in Kosovo

19 April 2025

19 April 2025

Excavations at Vuçak Castle in the Kosovo countryside have led to a remarkable discovery: a Roman altar dating back to...

New research, prove that Romans were breeding small bulldogs

11 June 2023

11 June 2023

Researchers have proven that breeding small brachycephalic (shorter-nosed) dogs took place already in ancient Rome. Research on a 2,000 years...

Ancient eggshell in the Northern Cape hiding 300,000 years of history

12 July 2021

12 July 2021

Evidence from an ancient eggshell has revealed important new information about the extreme climate change faced by human early ancestors....

Archaeologists Uncover Roman London’s First Basilica Beneath an Office Basement

13 February 2025

13 February 2025

Archaeologists have made a groundbreaking discovery beneath an office building in London, unearthing a substantial section of the ancient city’s...

Archaeologists discover a well-planned new urban precinct in the Egyptian settlement of Marea

2 August 2021

2 August 2021

Archaeologists excavating the ancient port settlement and cemetery of Marea in Egypt have revealed that a significant part of the...

Historic Leeds cemetery discovery unearths an ancient lead coffin belonging to a late Roman aristocratic woman

14 March 2023

14 March 2023

Archaeologists in northern Britain uncovered the skeletal remains of a late-Roman aristocratic woman inside a lead coffin, as well as...

A Mysterious Human Face Carved on Stone Dated to Bronze Age Discovered in Kazakhstan

21 July 2024

21 July 2024

Kazakhstan’s rich archaeological landscape continues to reveal fascinating details about ancient civilizations. Recent research in the Akmola, and Pavlodar revealed...

Archaeologists Discovered Medieval Silver Communion Set and 70 Silver Coins in Hungary

16 June 2024

16 June 2024

A 14th-century silver communion set (chalice and wafer holder) and a treasure trove of 70 silver coins were discovered in...