In the ancient, high desert lands of northwest Peru, it’s easy to see why water was more than just a necessity – it was practically divine. Nestled in the Andes, yet surrounded by arid terrain, water flowing from the mountains wasn’t just a thirst-quencher; it was life itself. So, it’s no surprise that around 3,800 years ago, a water-worshipping cult sprang up in the region. And thanks to recent excavations, archaeologists have unearthed four skeletal remains at Temple Queneto 2, located in the Queneto archaeological site in Peru.
Water that Gives Life: A Social Orientation During Burial
The burials included a couple of children, a teenager, and an adult, each carefully laid on their side, facing the mountains, a powerful gesture toward the life-giving water that flowed from them.
According to a translated statement from the National University of Trujillo, this temple was a hub for the water-worshipping cult. And the fact that the dead were oriented in a kind of reverent pose toward the mountains speaks volumes about how this ancient society viewed their sacred water – not just as a physical sustenance, but as a spiritual lifeline too.
The individuals were buried on their sides, facing the mountains. (National University of Trujillo)
The ancient remains were accompanied by some unique grave goods: stone pendants and snail shells, trinkets that have long been linked to this mysterious group. And scattered around the site? Pottery shards that hint at the culture’s artistic side.
In the ancient Andean worldview, where water was revered as a sacred and life-sustaining force. In an environment characterized by high deserts and a challenging climate, the flow of water from the Andes was vital for agriculture, survival, and the overall well-being of the communities. This dependency on water naturally elevated it to a divine status, leading to the establishment of rituals, ceremonies, and architectural structures dedicated to its worship, reports Live Science.
It was seen as a conduit between the physical world and the divine, with mountain springs and rivers often regarded as sacred spaces where offerings and rituals were performed to ensure the continued flow of this precious resource.
Builders of Sacred Spaces: Ancient Andeans
Castillo Lujan, professor in the university’s Professional School of Archaeology, said in the statement:
“These environments characterized by curved corners, show unique architecture from the Early Formative period. Furthermore, fragments of early ceramics found at the site are similar to those observed in other important settlements such as Gramalote, in the Moche Valley, and Huaca Negra, near the coast in the Viru Valley.”
This incredible find hails from Peru’s Viru Valley, a place known for its treasure trove of ancient civilizations. The temple itself, believed to date back to between 1800 and 900 BC, sits smack in the Early Formative period, long before the mighty Inca Empire rose to power. These early builders were trendsetters, sparking a craze for constructing massive buildings, including some of the first pyramids in the region. Their construction techniques were strong and built to last – employing cobblestones and clay plaster, with stylish curved corners, no less!
“It also shows the importance of the space. People have for a long time wanted to be buried in temples because these are very sacred spaces to them,” Castillo Luján told Reuters.
The Rich Viru Valley
The Viru Valley has always been rich in archaeological wonders. This latest dig conducted as part of the Virú Valley Archaeological Research Project (PAVI) of the National University of Trujillo (UNT), barely scratched the surface, covering just 1 percent of the massive site, reports Popular Mechanics. Yet, it’s already shedding light on a time period we still know so little about, especially when it comes to burial practices.
The research team is hoping that these discoveries will do more than just fill in the historical gaps. They’re urging the government to recognize the potential here and transform the Viru Valley into a cultural tourism hotspot and a proud symbol of Peruvian identity.
Top image: The team of investigators at the temple site in Viru Valley, Peru. Source: National University of Trujillo
By Sahir Pandey