3,800-year-old stone bas-reliefs unearthed in Peru, symbolizing famine caused by climate change

3,800-year-old stone bas-reliefs unearthed in Peru, symbolizing famine caused by climate change
3,800-year-old stone bas-reliefs unearthed in Peru, symbolizing famine caused by climate change
Anonim

The bas-reliefs have been found there in what was once the fishing town of the Caral civilization, the oldest in America. The bas-relief is believed to symbolize a period of drought and famine caused by climate change.

According to the Andina news agency, archaeologists have uncovered an ancient wall relief in Peru that belongs to the oldest civilizations in America. The wall is approximately 3800 years old and depicts snakes and human heads.

One meter high and 2.8 meters long, the bas-relief was discovered at the coastal archaeological site of Vichama, 110 kilometers north of the capital of Peru, Lima.

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The Vichama site is one of the excavations of the recently discovered Caral civilization, also known as Norte Chico, and has been studied by archaeologists since 2007.

The Caral civilization is 5,000 years old, making it the oldest civilization in the Americas, and it flourished concurrently with the flourishing Mesopotamian, Egyptian, and Chinese civilizations. The Caral people lived in the Supe Valley on the north-central coast of Peru.

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Built in 1800–3500 BC, Vichama is considered a fishing community and one of the cities of the Caral people. The wall was made of adobe, a clay-like material used to make bricks, and was located at the entrance to the ceremonial hall.

The relief of the wall depicts four human heads standing next to closed eyes, and between them and around them are two snakes. The snakes point their heads towards something that looks like a seed symbol.

Archaeologist Ruth Shady, who announced the discovery, hypothesized that snakes are a water deity that irrigates the earth and makes seeds grow.

Shady said that aid was probably provided near the end of the drought and famine that the Caral civilization experienced. Other bas-reliefs found nearby showed emaciated people.

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Archaeologists believe the discovery of the bas-relief reinforces the notion that these ancient people tried to portray the hardships they faced due to climate change and water scarcity, which had a major impact on their agricultural production.

During the excavations of Karal on an area of 25 hectares, the ruins of 22 buildings were discovered, built between 1800 and 1500 BC.

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