This unprecedented discovery has transformed our understanding of early civilizations in the Americas, according to scientists. Ana Cecilia Mauricio, an associate professor at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru and the lead archaeologist on the dig, noted that the finding indicates the “emergence of social hierarchy in Peru as society became more complex and evolved into civilization.”
The exquisite and skillfully crafted images shed new light on the beliefs and social structure of early Peruvian civilizations during their formative period (2000–1000 B.C.). Pre-Columbian Peru is one of the centers of civilization development in the Americas, boasting around 100,000 archaeological sites, including famous ones like Machu Picchu and the Nazca geoglyphs.
What Did the Archaeologists Discover?
The central element of the wall relief is a stylized depiction of a large predatory bird with outstretched wings. Its head is adorned with three-dimensional diamond-shaped motifs that visually connect the southern and northern parts of the composition. The design features patterns in shades of blue, yellow, red, and black, as reported by The Guardian.
The three-dimensional artwork also depicts fish, fishing nets, mythological creatures, and stars. These images reflect the worldview of the coastal population from ancient times.
“These were people who lived off agriculture and seafaring, but they were already showing the first signs of social hierarchy,” said Mauricio. The most influential and powerful figures were shamans, as well as priests and priestesses. As the lead archaeologist explained, “They had extensive knowledge of , astronomy, and could predict the weather based on the stars and the sun.” They were “not only scholars but also spiritual and religious leaders,” she added.
Mauricio pointed out that the relief features three humanoid figures that likely symbolize the transformation of a person into a bird. They may also represent the shaman’s transition into a psychoactive state after consuming a hallucinogenic substance, such as that found in the San Pedro cactus.
“People of the past were closely connected to their environment and climate, which is important for our present,” noted Mauricio. The ancient inhabitants of this region managed to survive during the El Niño weather phenomenon, which regularly causes devastating floods and landslides in modern-day Peru.