Vichima archaeological site bears the imprint of climate change

Archaeological sites of the Vichama region, built from the Caral civilization, contain traces of climate change that occurred more than 3,800 years ago.

This is the judgment of Peruvian archaeologist Aldemar Crispin, who is in charge of research in this area.

According to researcher Crispin, clay figures show the shape of a skeleton or people dying in a cataclysm that attacks the communities living in this coastal area a few thousand years ago.

The impact of such a large-scale disaster is also shown in the Caral wall drawings in the Supe Valley, 200km north of the capital Lima.

This symbolizes recollections related to the late Caral civilization crisis, caused by climate change occurring around 2,000 BC.

The main architecture in Vichama consists of pictures showing dead-like images with exposed ribs. This may be a reminder of the crisis period due to environmental changes.

Architecture in Vichama.(Photo: larepublica.pe).

Buildings are also historical evidence of hunger sweeping through this sea. Caral residents followed their ancestors' notes and took advantage of this knowledge.

Although archaeological sites are located inside the floodplain, they are at the top of the hill, thus avoiding the risk of flash flooding. This proves that the ancient inhabitants had precautions.

Every time a natural disaster occurs, the ancient people's agricultural production is seriously affected.

Among the embossed sculptures that decorate the buildings in Vichama, most are still pictures of fish, the staple food of ancient and modern Peruvians.

For Caral civilization, climate change not only destroys crops but also affects coastal ecosystems.

This means that there is no agricultural production, no food and typical anchovies in the waters of Peru.

Today, in the town of Carquin near the archaeological site, locals continue to catch and preserve this fish by salting the same way Caral ancestors did. They use dried anchovies with stewed potatoes to make traditional Charquican dishes.

Throughout its 5,000-year history and up to now, Peru's coastal region has often suffered from catastrophes.

This year, the El Nino weather phenomenon brought many flash floods in the capital of Lima that left 150,000 people homeless.