4,000-Year-Old "Fire Altar" Unearthed in Peru

Archaeology Magazine ^ | June 2, 2025 | editors / unattributed

[SunkenCiv]

The Kansas City Star reports that Peruvian authorities made a stunning new discovery at the site of Era de Pando in the Supe Valley. The region was home to the Caral culture, which is often considered the oldest city-building civilization in the Americas. Previous excavations at Era de Pando have unearthed four large and four small pyramid complexes, and at least 40 other buildings, including houses and temples, that date back at least 4,000 years. While working near one of the largest pyramids, archaeologists recently uncovered the ruins of a structure known as a "fire altar." The circular feature, which measures 22 feet across, is attached to a rectangular courtyard that is accessed by a staircase descending from a ceremonial hall. Fire altars are often found within close proximity to pyramids or the residences of high-ranking officials. During private ceremonies, political, social, or religious leaders would gather to perform sacred rituals where they burned offerings that often included beads, quartz fragments, mollusks, and other seafood.

[SunkenCiv]

Aerial photo of Era de Pando, Peru

Peruvian Ministry of Culture

[SunkenCiv]

[BenLurkin]

Aliens.

100%

[miliantnutcase]

Civ, what are your thoughts on the Paracas “cone head” skulls from Peru?

[ComputerGuy]

I just love the smell of burned quartz in the morning.

[Bob434]

how did they ever keep the fire burning for 4000 years?

[SunkenCiv]

Skull binding, which is found in other times and places throughout the world.

[Sawdring]

You can’t tell from the photo, but if there is polygonal masonry you could be correct!

[Ezekiel]

The circular feature, which measures 22 feet across, is attached to a rectangular courtyard that is accessed by a staircase descending from a ceremonial hall. Fire altars are often found within close proximity to pyramids or the residences of high-ranking officials. During private ceremonies, political, social, or religious leaders would gather to perform sacred rituals where they burned offerings...

Isn't that always the way? The wealthy and powerful can build 'em as big as they want, whereas the little people are happy if they can afford one of those little DIY kits from Lowes or Home Depot.

[21twelve]

I had to do a search about the Caral Culture’s sacrifice of beads and shells and stuff. I don’t know how much stuff they have uncovered, but they have only found two children and a baby that were sacrificed, and seem to indicate human sacrifice was fairly rare.

[Cronos]

Zoroastrians in Peru??

Iranians were the first in the new world? ,,😁

[Sirius Lee]

Zoroastrians in Peru??

I would. not be surprised. I think humans were coming to the "New World", whether intentionally or mishaps of navigation long after the Bering Strait bridge sank below the waves, and long before Columbus or the Vikings.

[SunkenCiv]

Since it’s Latin America, it was probably Zorroastrians instead.

[SunkenCiv]

Most of the rest of the Caral keyword, sorted:

• 4,000-Year-Old "Fire Altar" Unearthed in Peru [06/28/2025]
• Manhattan DA's Office Repatriates Eight Artifacts to Peru [05/19/2025]
• These Peruvian Pyramids Are Just As Old As Egypt's Pyramids [05/25/2022]
• Oldest city in the Americas under threat from squatters [01/21/2021]
• Archaeologists unearth 3,800-year-old wall relief in Peru [08/26/2018]
• Two-decade research reveals new information about Caral civilization [03/23/2016]
• Archeologists Explain Historical Climate Change 4,000 Years Ago [06/17/2015]
• 3,800-year-old statuettes found in Peru [06/17/2015]
• Ancient Peruvian site forces experts to re-think past [02/26/2011]
• The Mother Of All Civilizations (Caral, Peru) [12/16/2007]
• Peru Temple, Mural Hints At Complexity (2,000BC) [11/13/2007]
• Peru: Bandurria May Rival Caral As Oldest Citadel In Americas [03/27/2007]
• For Archaeology Buffs, Caral Is A Chance To Begin At The Beginning [10/23/2006]
• Japanese Researchers Discover Remains Of What Appears To Be 4,800-Year-Old Temple In Peru [06/20/2006]
• Peruvian Pyramids Rival The Pharaohs' [08/22/2005]
• Pre-Incas Kept Detailed Records Too [07/20/2005]
• Ancient Peru Site Older, Much Larger [12/23/2004]
• First City in the New World? [07/27/2002]
• Ancient Peruvian city in dire peril [03/07/2002]

[Cronos]

Oh, that’s a good one!!

[SunkenCiv]

:^)