Ancient Temple Discovered in Peru

Archaeologists have discovered an ancient temple in Peru at the ancient site of El Paraiso, northeast of Lima, reports BBC.

El Paraiso is one of the biggest archaeological sites, since nearly 10 ruins were discovered at this site. The ancient temple measures 6.28 m by 8.40 m and was found in the right wing of the main pyramid. The temple had a hearth, which the archaeologists from Peru's Ministry of Culture believe was used to burn ceremonial offerings.

This hearth was discovered in mid January when the archaeologists were carrying out conservation work at the site on behalf of Peru's Ministry of Culture, reports AFP.

The entrance of the temple was 48 cm wide, which led to the chamber, where shellfish, flowers, grains and fruits were burned as offerings, reports The Australian.

According to Marco Guillen, the head archaeologist at the site, on discovering this ancient temple, they quickly realized its importance. The stone walls inside were coated with fine yellow soil and traces of red paint. The smoke allowed the priests to connect with the gods. Apart from this, the temple consisted of four different levels, each one older than the other.

The newly found ancient temple is dated back to 3000 B.C., which the archaeologists will confirm after conducting a radiocarbon analysis.

Rafael Varon, Peru's Deputy Minister for Culture, said in a statement that the discovery of the temple "has particular importance because it is the first structure of this type found on the central coast which confirms that the current Lima region was one of the centers of civilization in the Andean region, demonstrating its religious, economic and political (value) since time immemorial," reports LiveScience.