According to Maria Luisa del Río of The Art Newspaper, archaeologists recently announced the discovery of Peñico, an ancient city in Peru dating back to 1800–1500 BC roughly contemporaneous with China's Shang Dynasty and Egypt’s Middle Kingdom. Located just 12 km from the Sacred City of Caral-Supe, Peñico was unveiled after eight years of excavation led by archaeologist Ruth Shady, and officially opened to the public on July 12, 2025.

Durant this eight-year effort, researchers uncovered 18 structures, including ceremonial temples, residential complexes, and central plaza walls. Significant artifacts were also found ceremonial objects, clay sculptures of animal and human figures, seashell bead necklaces, and pututus (trumpets made from Eastern Pacific giant conch shells). These finds suggest that hematite trade may have played a key role in Peñico’s prominence.

Peñico’s strategic position 600 m above sea level on a geological terrace near the Supe River and encircled by mountains was carefully selected to highlight its monumental scale, guard against flooding or landslides, and facilitate trade. In this way, the city likely functioned as a crucial nexus between coastal, Andean, and Amazonian regions, strengthening cultural and economic ties across Pre-Incan societies.

Ruth Shady, who also directed the earlier excavation of Caral, highlights that Peñico offers essential clues to what became of the Caral civilization following its decline particularly in the context of climate change.

You can access Maria Luisa del Río's article here.