Context:

Archaeologists have unveiled Peñico, an ancient Peruvian city in Huaura province, north of Lima, which served as a thriving hub of trade over 3,000 years ago. Founded around 1800 BC, Peñico was a strategic urban center connecting coastal communities of the Supe Valley with high Andes and Amazon settlements, following the cultural tradition of the Caral civilization. Excavations revealed 18 structures including public and residential buildings, with a notable find being the monumental B1-B3 building where clay sculptures, ceremonial tools, and conch-shell trumpets were discovered. The city's influence is believed to have grown after the decline of Caral, notably due to its role in the trade of hematite, a pigment with symbolic significance in Andean cosmology. Now open for tourism, the site features a modern interpretation center and will host the first Peñico Raymi festival to celebrate its cultural heritage with traditional rituals and ceremonies honoring Pachamama, the goddess of earth and time in Inca mythology.

Dive Deeper:

• Peñico, a newly unveiled Peruvian city, was an important trade hub over 3,000 years ago, strategically located in Huaura province, north of Lima, and connected coastal and mountain communities across the Supe Valley, Andes, and Amazon.

• Founded around 1800 BC, Peñico emerged following the cultural traditions of the Caral civilization, one of the oldest in the Americas, and played a crucial role in regional connectivity and trade.

• The site features 18 identified structures, including public and residential buildings, with a significant discovery being the B1-B3 monumental building where archaeologists found ceremonial artifacts and instruments used in ancient Andean gatherings.

• Peñico's prominence is thought to have risen after Caral's decline, especially due to its involvement in trading hematite, a red pigment important in Andean cosmology, which contributed to its prestige and influence.

• Recently opened for tourism, Peñico offers a modern interpretation center, reception areas, and walking routes through the ruins, enhancing understanding of its historical significance and cultural heritage.

• The inaugural Peñico Raymi festival will celebrate the city's cultural legacy with traditional rituals, art, and a ceremony honoring Pachamama, reflecting the rich cultural traditions and spiritual beliefs of the region.

• The unveiling follows eight years of excavation and conservation efforts by the Ministry of Culture, demonstrating a significant commitment to preserving and sharing Peru's ancient cultural heritage.