Archaeologists have uncovered a 3,500-year-old city named Peñico in Peru’s Barranca province, believed to have been a key trading hub linking early Pacific coast, Andean, and Amazonian societies.
Situated about 200km north of Lima and dating back to 1,800–1,500 BC, Peñico features ceremonial temples, residential complexes, and artifacts such as clay sculptures and bead necklaces.
The discovery offers new insights into the fate of the Caral civilisation, the oldest known in the Americas, which developed in the Supe Valley around 3,000 BC before declining due to climate change.
Researchers say Peñico represents a cultural continuation of Caral and highlights the region’s significance in ancient trade and urban development.
Archaeologists in Peru 🇵🇪 unveil 3,500-year-old city that linked coast and Andes
The urban center, named Peñico, is located in the northern Barranca province and was founded between 1,800 and 1,500 BC. It is close to where the Caral civilization, the oldest in the Americas,… pic.twitter.com/sHfRYYlqLg
— Saad Abedine (@SaadAbedine) July 5, 2025
