Discovery of 3,500-Year-Old Trading Hub in Peru

Tue Oct 21 2025 15:15:18 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Archaeologists have unearthed an ancient city named Peñico in northern Peru, which served as a vital trading center connecting diverse ancient communities.

The recently uncovered city of Peñico, believed to be 3,500 years old, offers new insights into the Americas' oldest civilization, the Caral. Archaeologists have found structures, ceremonial objects, and evidence of trade and cultural exchange at this strategic site located in Barranca province.

Archaeologists have made a groundbreaking discovery in Peru’s northern Barranca province, revealing an ancient city that dates back 3,500 years, named Peñico. This historical site is believed to have played a pivotal role as a trading hub, linking communities from the early Pacific coast with those in the Andes mountains and the Amazon basin. Positioned approximately 200 kilometers north of Lima at about 600 meters (1,970 feet) above sea level, Peñico is thought to have been established between 1,800 and 1,500 BC—contemporaneous with the rise of early civilizations in regions like the Middle East and Asia.

The excavation site has shown promising findings, including a circular structure located at the city’s center with surrounding stone and mud remnants of various buildings. Over eight years of research have led to the discovery of 18 structures, comprising ceremonial temples and residential complexes. Artifacts such as ceremonial items, clay sculptures depicting human and animal figures, and elaborately crafted necklaces made from beads and seashells have also been unearthed.

Geographically, Peñico is situated near Caral, recognized as the oldest civilization in the Americas, founded around 5,000 years ago in the Supe valley. Caral is noted for its impressive 32 monuments, including large pyramids, advanced agricultural systems, and urban development, existing in relative isolation from other ancient civilizations like those in India and Egypt.

Dr. Ruth Shady, the archaeologist who spearheaded the latest research on Peñico, has highlighted the significance of this discovery in understanding the fate of the Caral civilization, which faced severe challenges due to climate change. According to Dr. Shady, Peñico's location was strategically advantageous for trade and cultural exchanges among coastal, highland, and jungle societies.

During a recent news conference, researcher Marco Machacuay from the Ministry of Culture emphasized that Peñico's relevance is rooted in its continuation of the cultural lineage traced back to the Caral civilization. Peru continues to be a treasure trove of ancient archaeological finds, notable for significant sites like the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu and the enigmatic Nazca Lines etched into the arid central coast.