JAKARTA - Archaeologists working in Peru have discovered a 3,000-year-old closed corridor dubbed the 'condor bird culvert' which most likely leads to other spaces within what was once a large temple complex related to ancient Chavin culture.
Located about 190 miles (306 km) northeast of Lima, the archaeological site Chavin de Hanantar is one of the most important cultural centers, which has grown from around 1,500-550 BC.
The Chavins are famous for their state-of-the-art art, which often features depictions of birds and cats. The tribe originated from the first settled agricultural community on the northern highlands of Andes Peru, more than 2,000 years before the Inca Empire came to power.
Chavin's latest discovery focused on the alley inside the southern part of the sealed temple, due to what archaeologists believe to be his structural weakness, but now offers a glimpse into Chavin's early days.
"What we have here has been frozen by time," lead archaeologist John Rick told Reuters.
A large ceramic weighing about 37 pounds (17 kg) decorated with objects such as the head and wing of a culvert has been found in the alley, along with a ceramic bowl. Both were found in May 2022 when the entrance was found.
This temple complex has terraces and a recently discovered network of halls.
Rick, an archaeologist from Stanford University, said there are still many parts of the temple complex to be excavated.
VOIR éGALEMENT:
The entrance to the "condor hall" was first explored by Rick's team using a robot-mounted camera, to clear up debris that had filled it and avoid further collapse risks from ancient architecture.
The UN Agency for Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO) designated Chavin de Hurantar as a world heritage site in 1985.
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