Peru excavation reveals 4,000-year-old temple

Archaeologists have uncovered a 4,000-year-old temple and theatre in coastal Peru, shedding new light on the early development of religion in the Andes.

The discovery, made at the La Otra Banda, Cerro Las Animas site, was led by Luis Muro Ynoñán from the Field Museum in Chicago. He described the find as groundbreaking, shedding light on the early development of religion in the Andes. While little is known about the belief systems of this time, this evidence provides a glimpse into the earliest sacred spaces in the region, predating the Inca by 3,500 years. Muro Ynoñán emphasised that much of what is understood about these ancient people comes from the structures and artifacts they left behind, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

In 2023, Muro Ynoñán and his team were alerted to the La Otra Banda, Cerro Las Animas archaeological site by the local government, which sought their help after looting had been reported near Zaña. With support from organizations like Dumbarton Oaks, Archaeology in Action, and the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, funds were raised to excavate the site, and the team began their work in June 2024.

They started by digging a 10 by 10 metre plot, uncovering ancient walls just six feet below the surface, much closer than expected. Further excavation revealed part of a large temple built into the mountain. One of the most exciting finds was a small theater, complete with a backstage area and staircase leading to a stage-like platform, potentially used for ritual performances.

The archaeologists also uncovered mud panels flanking the theater’s stairs, decorated with intricate carvings of a bird-like mythological creature, which had anthropomorphic and reptilian features. This discovery provides important clues about the temple’s age and its connection to other ancient Andean structures. Similar mythological figures have been found in Peru, dating back to the Initial Period (around 2000 BCE to 900 BCE). 

This period followed the Preceramic Period, during which coastal societies in Peru first began to develop complex political systems. "The Initial Period is significant because it's the first time we see evidence of institutionalized religion in Peru," explains Muro Ynoñán. He notes that the bird-like creature found at the site resembles figures from the Chavín region, which appeared nearly 500 years later. This discovery may help trace the origins of that religious tradition.

The team also uncovered large murals on the temple walls, and Muro Ynoñán, who specializes in pigment analysis, plans to study the chemical composition of the paints. This analysis can reveal the source of the pigments and provide clues about ancient trade networks. "I'll be taking the pigment samples back to the Field Museum this fall for further study and sending others for carbon dating to determine the site's age," he says. 

By Naila Huseynova