In a remarkable find that deepens our understanding of one of the world’s oldest civilizations, archaeologists working at the Era de Pando archaeological site in Peru’s Supe Valley have uncovered a 5,000-year-old “Fire Altar”, used for elite ceremonial practices by the Caral civilization. This discovery, announced by the Ministry of Culture, offers fresh insight into the ritual and political dynamics of Caral, often regarded as the oldest civilization in the Americas.
Led by Dr. Ruth Shady, director of the Caral Archaeological Zone (ZAC), the excavation team found the altar situated beside the Major Pyramidal Public Building "C1", on the west side of the ancient complex. The newly discovered altar is a circular structure roughly 7 meters in diameter, accessed via a staircase leading from a ceremonial hall. It opens onto a rectangular patio measuring 16 by 8 meters (52.5 ft by 26.25 ft), indicating its role as a significant sacred precinct.
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The newly discovered fire altar by the Major Pyramidal Public Building, Caral Archaeological Zone, Peru. (Peru Ministry of Culture)
Norte Chico Civilization Sites
The site is one of the most studied of the civilization known as Norte Chico. The Norte Chico Civilization was an ancient civilization/complex society belonging to the Pre-Columbian era. This civilization flourished in Peru about 5000 years ago, and is believed to be the oldest known civilization to have existed in the Americas.
The Norte Chico Civilization is notable today for its monumental constructions, including massive ceremonial pyramids and complex irrigation systems. This ancient civilization lasted until around 1800 BC, after which the settlements were abandoned.
The sites of the Norte Chico Civilization are situated around 200 km (124.27 miles) to the north of Lima, in what is today the Norte Chico region of north-central coastal Peru, near Supe, Barranca province. This civilization is also known as the Caral / Caral-Supe Civilization, as its best-studied site is Caral in the Supe Valley.
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Close up of the fire altar. (Peru Ministry of Culture)
A Fire Altar for Elite Only Ceremonies
According to the Ministry’s official statement, “only certain religious, political, and social authorities had access to the Fire Altars.” These exclusive ritual spaces were central to the performance of cremation ceremonies involving offerings such as quartz fragments, fish, mollusks, beads, and agricultural products—materials laden with symbolic and spiritual value.
“These altars bear witness to the production of knowledge in science and technology,” explained Dr. Shady in the Ministry release.
“The Caral leaders incinerated offerings during private ceremonies, shaping not only the sacred but also the social and political fabric of their civilization.”
The Era de Pando site spans over 57 hectares and contains 48 structures, including major and minor pyramidal buildings, temples, and elite residences. Strategically located 12.5 kilometers (8 miles) inland from the Pacific coast, at the confluence of trade and ecological zones, the settlement once functioned as a key node in Caral’s interregional network.
Although originally a modest settlement during the peak of the Sacred City of Caral-Supe (a recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site), the Era de Pando grew in importance in later periods. Its monumental architecture, strategic location, and access to marine and agricultural resources positioned it as a critical player in the evolving Caral polity.
Beyond architecture, archaeologists have recovered figurines, tools, and ceremonial artifacts that enrich our understanding of daily and ritual life. These finds highlight Caral's advanced socio-political organization, which flourished without warfare, relying instead on ideological authority and public ritual.
The discovery of this Fire Altar not only strengthens the status of Era de Pando within the Caral network but also invites further investigation into the ritual technologies and elite practices that shaped Andean prehistory.
Top Image: View of the newly discovered Fire Altar at Era de Pando, believed to be used in elite Caral rituals. Source: Ministry of Culture, Peru.
By Gary Manners
References
Ministry of Culture, Peru. “New 'Fire Altar' Discovered at Era de Pando Archaeological Site in Caral.” May 21, 2025. Available at: https://www.gob.pe/institucion/cultura/noticias/1172062-ministerio-de-cultura-descubren-nuevo-altar-de-fuego-en-sitio-arqueologico-era-de-pando-en-caral
