14th century citadel found: News24: Sci-Tech: News
Lima - Deforestation in the Peruvian province of Amazonas led to the discovery of a 14th-century citadel, Peruvian daily El Comercio reported on Tuesday.
The citadel, made by the Chachapoyas people, is in a remote area known as Las Higueras and is mostly covered in trees, woody vines and other types of vegetation. It stands at an altitude of around 2 500m, surrounded by cliffs in the middle of the rainforest.
The citadel featured homes, terraces and walls more than 2m tall. It stretched over a surface of around 20ha, according to experts' estimates.
Local archaeologist Manuel Malaver said circular rooms, ramps and three small cemeteries have been identified at the site.
Months ago, a small architectural complex was found nearby, where experts discovered a silver chest plate and a score of arrow heads made of volcanic rock. Locals think that there may be more vestiges of the Chachapoya culture.
Biologist Leyda Rimarachin - of the sanctuary Cordillera de Colan, which stands about 5km away from the citadel - warned that the area is being exploited by illegal lumberers who turn it into grassland. She warned also that the archaeological site was vulnerable to looting.
The Chachapoyas were a war-like people who lived in north-eastern Peru and lived in the years 800 - 1470 AD, until they were subdued by the Incas.a>
The citadel, made by the Chachapoyas people, is in a remote area known as Las Higueras and is mostly covered in trees, woody vines and other types of vegetation. It stands at an altitude of around 2 500m, surrounded by cliffs in the middle of the rainforest.
The citadel featured homes, terraces and walls more than 2m tall. It stretched over a surface of around 20ha, according to experts' estimates.
Local archaeologist Manuel Malaver said circular rooms, ramps and three small cemeteries have been identified at the site.
Months ago, a small architectural complex was found nearby, where experts discovered a silver chest plate and a score of arrow heads made of volcanic rock. Locals think that there may be more vestiges of the Chachapoya culture.
Biologist Leyda Rimarachin - of the sanctuary Cordillera de Colan, which stands about 5km away from the citadel - warned that the area is being exploited by illegal lumberers who turn it into grassland. She warned also that the archaeological site was vulnerable to looting.
The Chachapoyas were a war-like people who lived in north-eastern Peru and lived in the years 800 - 1470 AD, until they were subdued by the Incas.a>
