Ancient temple discovered in Peru's Zaña Valley

Archaeologists have discovered the remains of an ancient ceremonial complex in the Zaña Valley, located in the Lambayeque region of northern Peru. The site, known as the Los Paredones de La Otra Banda-Las Ánimas archaeological complex, features monumental religious architecture, anthropomorphic reliefs, and pictorial designs.

The discovery provides potential insights into the development of early organized religious traditions in the Andes, predating well-known cultures such as the Moche, Chimú, and Inca. While initial estimates suggested the site might be 5,000 years old, subsequent scientific investigations have placed the age closer to 4,000 years, pending absolute dating.

Researchers emphasize that while the site belongs to an early cultural horizon preceding the Chavín expansion, there is currently insufficient evidence to definitively attribute the reliefs to the Cupisnique culture. The findings are categorized within the Formative Period of the northern Peruvian coast.