The Oldest City in The Americas Is an Archeological Wonder, And It's Under Invasion

The Caral archaeological complex. (Ernesto Benavides/AFP)

CARLOS MANDUJANO, AFP 20 JANUARY 2021

Having survived for 5,000 years, the oldest archeological site in the Americas is under threat from squatters claiming the coronavirus pandemic has left them with no other option but to occupy the sacred city.

The situation has become so bad that archeologist Ruth Shady, who discovered the Caral site in Peru, has been threatened with death if she doesn't abandon investigating its treasures.

Archeologists told an AFP team visiting Caral that squatter invasions and destruction began in March when the pandemic forced a nationwide lockdown.



An agricultural area that has invaded the protected site. (Ernesto Benavides/AFP)

"There are people who come and invade this site, which is state property, and they use it to plant," archeologist Daniel Mayta told AFP.

"It's hugely harmful because they're destroying 5,000-year-old cultural evidence."

More:
https://www.sciencealert.com/oldest-city-in-the-americas-under-threat-from-squatters