Lima: This was discovered within the El Paraiso archaeological complex in the Chillon valley. This site is recently discovered and experts are of the view that this site is comparable in age to Caral, the oldest pre-Columbian site in the Americas that was inhabited between 2,600 – 2,100 BC. Caral is located some 200 kilometers (125 miles) to the north and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The fireplace was found when archeologists discovered a narrow entrance on a wing of El Paraiso’s central pyramid in January, when they were removing sand and stones.
The entrance, measuring some 48 centimeters (19-inches) wide, leads to a chamber measuring eight by six meters (26 by 20 feet) where shellfish, grains, flowers and fruit were burned as offerings.
