The case adds to other threats to Peruvian cultural heritage, such as damage to the Nazca Lines.
Peru’s Ministry of Culture denounced the intentional destruction of the pre-Hispanic geoglyph known as the Triple Spiral, which is more than a thousand years old and is located in archaeological zone 11 of the Santo Domingo Ravine.
La Libertad’s Directorate of Culture confirmed that the geoglyph was erased by manually removing soil, resulting in the complete loss of this archaeological evidence related to the worship and management of water in ancient societies on the northern coast.
The incident occurred just days after a state operation to recover illegally occupied land within the protected area, leading to the presumption that the destruction was retaliation for actions taken to defend cultural heritage.
The archaeological zone encompasses more than 1,500 hectares and preserves evidence of human occupation from approximately 11,000 years ago until the 15th century AD, making it a key site for scientific research and the country’s historical memory.
The Culture Ministry will pursue administrative, civil, and criminal actions to identify and punish those responsible. The case adds to other threats to Peruvian cultural heritage, such as damage to the Nazca Lines and attempted occupations of archaeological sites in Cusco.
In Peruvian cultural tradition, geoglyphs have been considered symbolic expressions linked to the Andean worldview, especially in relation to water and fertility. Their destruction not only implies material loss but also a blow to identity.
The defense of archaeological heritage in Peru has historically been a challenge: from protecting Machu Picchu to recovering looted artifacts abroad, the country has sought to balance urban development and cultural conservation.
teleSUR: JP
Source: EFE
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