Archaeologists Discover 5,000-Year-Old Temple in Peru Underneath Sand Dune

By: Ben Campbell | Published: Jul 26, 2024

Archaeological excavations in a valley in Northwestern Peru have unearthed the remains of a 5,000-year-old temple that may have been used for ceremonial purposes.

The first stage of the excavation, which took place this past summer, also led to the discovery of human skeletal remains buried under a large sand dune. Further investigations may provide researchers with insight into the ancient culture that once thrived in the region and their religious customs.

Zaña Valley Archaeological Project

On June 3, archaeologists alongside Peru’s Ministry of Culture meticulously conducted the first stages of an excavation at the Los Paredones de la Otra Banda – Las Ánimas Archaeological Complex in the Zaña region located just under 50 kilometers from Chiclayo.

A photograph of the Zana district of Peru with the valley in the background

Source: Wikimedia

The Zaña Valley Archaeological Project aims to explore the surrounding valleys in search of ancient sites and items of interest, and it didn’t take long before the researchers made a fascinating discovery.

Discovery of Ritualistic Temple

Two archaeological teams working at the site eventually unearthed the remains of a religious monument, a discovery of immense significance.

A photograph of several men digging trenches at an archaeological site

Source: Wikimedia

As the researchers continued to dig out the remains of the temple-like structure, they eventually found the remains of several walls of what once appeared to be a multi-story structure.

5,000-Year-Old Temple Structure

Speaking in a statement, Luis Armando Muro Ynoñán, director of the Archaeological Project of Cultural Landscapes of Úcupe – Zaña Valley, shared his opinion on the dating of the site, suggesting it goes back several thousands of years.

A photograph of the excavated remains at the archaeological site in northwest Peru

Source: DDC Lambayeque

“We are probably looking at a five-thousand-year-old religious complex that is an architectural space defined by walls built of mud,” he said.

Religious Temple May Be Linked to Others

Luis Muro, an archaeologist from Peru’s Pontifical Catholic University who led the team of researchers, explained that the temple may be linked to others in the region.

A photograph of the Caral pyramid found in Northern Peru

Source: Wikimedia

“We are still waiting for radio-carbon dating to confirm the date, but the evidence suggests this religious construction could be part of a religious tradition of temples built on Peru’s northern coast during that period,” per Channel News Asia.

Researcher Speaks on The Interior of the Temple

During a press statement, Ynoñán revealed that the archaeologists found a staircase in the central portion of the structure that would have led an ancient priest to a raised platform.

A photograph of a man speaking with several reporters

Source: Wikimedia

“We have what would have been a central staircase from which one would ascend to a kind of stage in the central part,” he said.

Human Remains Discovered at the Temple

As researchers continued to explore the remains of the wall, they made a startling yet fascinating discovery.

A photograph of human skeletal remains discovered in the ground

Source: Wikimedia

The remains of several humans dating back to the temple’s period were carefully placed between the walls of the religious structure.

Humans Remains Placed in a Ritualistic Manner

The human burials discovered between the walls at the site were wrapped tightly in cloth, suggesting the temple may have been a site where sacrificial rituals were carried out.

A photograph of the human remains discovered at the site in Peru

Source: DDC Lambayeque

However, despite this theory, researchers admit that more evidence is required before they can say what the burials represent.

Ancient Deity of the Region

As the archaeologists slowly removed the dirt encased around the walls, they discovered that the remaining walls of the temple were covered in elaborate freezes.

A researcher is pictured standing beside a carving of a figure

Source: DDC Lambayeque

The most fascinating depiction was of a human body with a bird’s head, reptilian claws, and feline features. This has led some to suggest that this figure was some kind of deity worshipped by the region’s ancient inhabitants.

Researcher Discusses the Designs on the Walls

Above the mysterious figure, the walls have designs of a different nature, which further emphasizes the site’s importance.

Source: Freepik

The researchers explained that the upper parts of the wall were covered in “fine plaster with a pictorial design,” per their statement.

Second Archaeological Excavation

During a second excavation at the site, researchers unearthed the remains of a ceremonial structure dating back to the much later Moche period, around 650 CE.

A photograph of an archaeologist working at a site

Source: Wikimedia

The Moche were an ancient group living in Peru who produced fine artwork and large temples. They are also thought to have engaged in the practice of human sacrifice. Archaeologists also note that the remains of a young child between the ages of 5 and 6 were discovered at the site; however, they date to a later era.

Emergence and Evolution of Groups in the Region

Ynoñán explained they sought to “examine the emergence, evolution, and development of the ceremonial center and elite cemetery of La Otra Banda and Úcupe, which were built and consolidated regionally between the Formative and Moche periods.”

A photograph of an intricate relief found at El Brujo in Peru

Source: Wikimedia

The researchers involved in the project hope that further excavations at the site will allow them to understand better the ancient cultures that once thrived in this region of Peru.