Archaeologists in Peru say they have discovered a temple at the
ancient site of El Paraiso, near the capital, Lima. Entry to the
rectangular structure, estimated to be up to 5,000 years old,
was via a narrow passageway, they say. At its centre, the
archaeologists from Peru’s Ministry of Culture found a hearth
which they believe was used to burn ceremonial offerings. With
10 ruins, El Paraiso is one of the biggest archaeological sites
in central Peru. The archaeologists found the structure,
measuring 6.82m by 8.04m (22ft by 26ft), in the right wing of
the main pyramid. They had been carrying out conservation work
on the site on behalf of Peru’s Ministry of Culture when they
came across the remains, which had been obscured by sand and
rocks. They said the temple walls were made of stone and covered
in fine yellow clay which also contained some traces of red
paint. The archaeologists said the find suggests that the
communities in the Late Pre-ceramic Age (3500 BC to 1800 BC)
were more closely connected than had