Peñico, Peru | An Archaeological Treasure and New Tourist Attraction Discovered in the Northern Lima Region

Peñico is an archaeological treasure and new tourist attraction of Peru, an ancient Caral city discovered in the Peruvian province of Huara in the northern Lima Region, 12 kilometres from the "Ciudad Sagrada de Caral", the Sacred City of Caral.

The city's discovery was announced on 3rd July 2025 following eight years of research at the site, which is thought to have been founded between 1800 and and 1500 BC near the end of the Caral - Supe civilization, a complex Pre - Columbian era society that included as many as thirty population settlements in what is now the Caral region of north - central coastal Peru.

The Andean country with this discovery adds a new jewel to its cultural and historical offer with the opening of the citadel of Peñico, an architectural masterpiece more than 3.800 years old, a site that accurated studies was a key hub in the history of the "Valle del Supe", the Supe Valley, connecting the Pacific coast to the Andes mountains in ancient times and is now emerging as new tourist destination of global interest. 

Built around 1800 BC, Peñico stands out for its strategic planning, sitting on a raised terrace that allowed control of the environment and protection against natural disasters. 

Over eight years of research, a total of 18 structures were discovered at the site, including residential complexes and ceremonial temples, as well as the walls of a central plaza, and a number orf artifacts inside the buildings like clay sculptures of animals and human figures, ceremonial objects, and necklaces made from beads and seashells.

The Caral Archaeological Zone, in charge of its management, has enabled tourist infrastructure such as parking lots, reception areas and a modern Interpretation Center with interactive resources to understand the legacy of the site.

The Archaeologist and anthropologist, and Director of the ZAC, Ruth Shady, who led the research into Peñico after leading the excavation of Caral, a nearby citiy considered the beating heart of the same civilization said that Peñico represents a new step in the integration of ancestral heritage with sustainable tourism development.

The site thus joins the network of visitable sites that include Áspero, Caral and Vichama, strengthening Peru's position as a benchmark in archaeological tourism.

Link 
https://tres60.travel/peru-suma-a-penico-como-nuevo-atractivo-arqueologico-y-turistico/