Archaeologists Unearth Ancient Temple and Theater in Peru

Peru is jam-packed with ancient historical sites like the ruins of Machu Picchu and Ollantaytambo. While many of these locations pertain to the Inca Empire, some pieces of history date back several thousand years, providing a treasure trove of knowledge for archaeologists to discover. 

In a recent find, archaeologists working with the Field Museum in Chicago stumbled upon what appear to be an ancient temple and theater with a possible 4,000-year history. They made the discovery at the archaeological site of La Otra Banda, Cerro Las Ánimas in the northern province of Chiclayo. 

According to a statement from the museum, the researchers started digging at the site last month after local government reports of looting in nearby Zaña. As a result, they got to work to "study the area before it was destroyed." 

Team lead and Field Museum scientist Luis Muro Ynoñán shared that they found walls of mud and clay just six feet below the ground. The evidence seemingly points to it being the remnants of an old temple. 

"It was so surprising that these very ancient structures were so close to the modern surface," Muro Ynoñán said. "We think that a large temple was built into the side of the mountain, and we’ve found one section of it."

"This discovery tells us about the early origins of religion in Peru," he added. "We still know very little about how and under which circumstances complex belief systems emerged in the Andes, and now we have evidence about some of the earliest religious spaces that people were creating in this part of the world."

"The people here created complex religious systems and perceptions about their cosmos," he continued. "Religion was an important aspect of the emergence of political authority. People used religion to wield control over each other; early leaders personified mythological figures in performances. It gives us insight into the human mind because religion is still used as a tool for political purposes today."

The apparent religious site isn't the only cultural venue the scientists discovered. "One of the most exciting things we found was a small theater, with a backstage area and a staircase that led to a stage-like platform," Muro Ynoñán said. "This could have been used to perform ritual performances in front of a selected audience."

Questions remain about what these people called themselves, as the structures date back long before the Inca Empire reigned over the region. For now, there are plenty of sites across the gorgeous country that are ripe for exploration.