Exploratory and evaluative research conducted between 2024 and 2025 in the Cajamarca region of Peru has resulted in the identification, assessment and formal registration of 34 previously undocumented archaeological sites and cultural landscapes.
These findings were presented by the Ministry of Culture through the Decentralised Directorate of Culture (DDC) of Cajamarca, reflecting a systematic effort to expand and refine the regional archaeological record.
The fieldwork involved documenting 20 sites in 2024 and 14 in 2025. Each site was subjected to a structured evaluation process designed to determine its cultural significance, state of conservation and the technical requirements necessary for its protection and long-term preservation.
This systematic approach not only ensures that new archaeological assets are identified and recorded, but also that the site is incorporated into the region's wider cultural heritage management.
In addition to identifying new sites, the research highlighted deficiencies in the delimitation of certain previously recognised archaeological areas. Although some of these sites had been officially declared, they lacked clearly defined protective boundaries, rendering them vulnerable to encroachment and other anthropogenic impacts. In response, targeted technical interventions were undertaken to establish precise site boundaries, thereby strengthening legal protection and mitigating potential risks.
Among the principal sites documented are Wancasanga and El Pastal in Condebamba; El Castillo in Llacanora; Cerro Antivo in Los Baños del Inca; Cerro La Picota Grande in Celendín; Guzmango Viejo in Contumazá; the La Lima Petroglyph in San Ignacio; and the Inca Stone (Chontalí Stele). Collectively, these sites contribute valuable data to the understanding of pre-Hispanic settlement patterns, cultural practices and regional development.
All data generated through this research has been incorporated into the Archaeological Geographic Information System (SIGDA), administered by the Ministry of Culture through the Directorate of Physical and Legal Land Titling within the Directorate of Archaeological Heritage. This integration facilitates the ongoing updating of the National Register of Pre-Hispanic Archaeological Monuments and supports the continuation of technical procedures required for the formal designation of these sites as National Cultural Heritage.
In accordance with Law No. 28296, the General Law of the Cultural Heritage of the Nation, the Ministry of Culture, through the DDC Cajamarca, reaffirms its institutional commitment to the protection, conservation and enhancement of Peru’s archaeological heritage for the benefit of present and future generations.
Sources : Peruvian State