03:44Peruvian archaeologists have unearthed an ancient temple estimated to be around 5,000 years old in the historically rich Lambayeque region.
Footage captured near the city of Chiclayo on Saturday shows the ruins of two buildings at the excavation site, as well as human bone fragments and vases discovered inside the ancient structures.
According to Luis Muro, director of the archaeological project, one of the buildings dates back to the 'Moche' civilization, while the second was built more recently.
"What we have been able to reveal through the detailed excavations is evidence of two buildings: an ancient ritual building that possibly dates around 2,000 years old and another building that possibly corresponds to the Moche culture between 600 and 800 AD," Muro said.
"In the excavations, we have found human remains and human burials," Muro continued. "We have found an infant who has been placed near the base of the walls that define this structure and which possibly have been a kind of human offering," he continued.
According to a press release from Peru's Ministry of Culture, imagery discovered on the temple walls reveals pictures of anthropomorphic creatures with human bodies, bird-like heads and reptilian claws.
Experts believe special ceremonies, including human sacrifices to Incan gods, would have been carried out at the site.
Lambayeque is located along Peru's northern coast, with the region's capital, Chiclayo, situated about 770 kilometres from Lima.
Temple of Doom! Archaeologists unearth 5,000-year-old site with evidence of human sacrifices in northern Peru
Peruvian archaeologists have unearthed an ancient temple estimated to be around 5,000 years old in the historically rich Lambayeque region.
Footage captured near the city of Chiclayo on Saturday shows the ruins of two buildings at the excavation site, as well as human bone fragments and vases discovered inside the ancient structures.
According to Luis Muro, director of the archaeological project, one of the buildings dates back to the 'Moche' civilization, while the second was built more recently.
"What we have been able to reveal through the detailed excavations is evidence of two buildings: an ancient ritual building that possibly dates around 2,000 years old and another building that possibly corresponds to the Moche culture between 600 and 800 AD," Muro said.
"In the excavations, we have found human remains and human burials," Muro continued. "We have found an infant who has been placed near the base of the walls that define this structure and which possibly have been a kind of human offering," he continued.
According to a press release from Peru's Ministry of Culture, imagery discovered on the temple walls reveals pictures of anthropomorphic creatures with human bodies, bird-like heads and reptilian claws.
Experts believe special ceremonies, including human sacrifices to Incan gods, would have been carried out at the site.
Lambayeque is located along Peru's northern coast, with the region's capital, Chiclayo, situated about 770 kilometres from Lima.
Peruvian archaeologists have unearthed an ancient temple estimated to be around 5,000 years old in the historically rich Lambayeque region.
Footage captured near the city of Chiclayo on Saturday shows the ruins of two buildings at the excavation site, as well as human bone fragments and vases discovered inside the ancient structures.
According to Luis Muro, director of the archaeological project, one of the buildings dates back to the 'Moche' civilization, while the second was built more recently.
"What we have been able to reveal through the detailed excavations is evidence of two buildings: an ancient ritual building that possibly dates around 2,000 years old and another building that possibly corresponds to the Moche culture between 600 and 800 AD," Muro said.
"In the excavations, we have found human remains and human burials," Muro continued. "We have found an infant who has been placed near the base of the walls that define this structure and which possibly have been a kind of human offering," he continued.
According to a press release from Peru's Ministry of Culture, imagery discovered on the temple walls reveals pictures of anthropomorphic creatures with human bodies, bird-like heads and reptilian claws.
Experts believe special ceremonies, including human sacrifices to Incan gods, would have been carried out at the site.
Lambayeque is located along Peru's northern coast, with the region's capital, Chiclayo, situated about 770 kilometres from Lima.