What does Peñico teach us?
Research and enhancement work on the urban center of Peñico began in 2017. Shady indicated that it is the fourth archaeological site linked to the Caral Civilization that is open to the public.
"Peñico joins the archaeological sites open to visitors under our management: the Sacred City of Caral, the fishing city of Áspero, and the agro-fishing city of Vichama," she added.
The archaeologist stated that the historical importance of this city also lies in its elements that will allow for a deeper understanding of the crises this civilization faced between the years 1800 and 1500 BC.
She explained that this situation was related to climate change, causing drought and affecting the agricultural activities in the area.
The expert considered it essential to study this experience to determine how the inhabitants of Caral responded to a situation that also exists today.
Shady pointed out that the findings in Peñico reaffirm the connections that the inhabitants of Caral maintained with other regions of Peruvian territory, including the Andean and Amazonian areas, which is why it can be considered a “city of integration.”
The researcher noted that this is an important aspect to consider in understanding the need to integrate the different sectors of the country.
Urban center of importance
In turn, Mauro Ordoñez, head of the Peñico archaeological site, told Andina News Agency that this was an urban center, as evidenced by the various public buildings found there. The most notable is the structure known as the Hall of the Pututos.
As is known, these are musical instruments crafted from mollusk shells, used to summon gatherings and announce significant events, taking advantage of the powerful sound they can generate. In the discovered structure, pututos have been depicted on the walls of a square hall.
Ordoñez explained that it is a large-scale construction whose use is still under research and that it is located on a natural spur. Due to its size and characteristics, it would have been the most important building at the site.
In another of the 18 public buildings detected, figurines and sculptures of various forms have been found. Several of them depict monkeys and other primates, evidencing the knowledge that existed in Caral about the Amazon.
A similar feature is also seen in another structure, located in a square plaza, where a representation of a primate is visible. Likewise, the sculptures uncovered are polychrome.
Security for all
Additionally, Shady announced that the possibility of hiring a private entity to provide security services in the area is being studied, in order to safeguard the integrity of the archaeological sites linked to the Caral civilization, as well as the safety of researchers and visitors.
"We will be able to hire a company so we can have protection, since we still don’t have a police presence," she stated.
In that regard, the expert expressed hope that the National Police presence will once again be permanent, as it used to be in previous years.
(END) FGM/MAO/JMP/MVB