The Ministry of Culture announced on Mar. 17 that it has identified 34 new archaeological sites and landscapes in various provinces and districts of the Cajamarca region. The findings are the result of exploration, evaluation, and registration activities carried out by the Decentralized Directorate of Culture (DDC) of Cajamarca during 2024 and 2025.
This development is significant as it contributes to the preservation and protection of Peru’s cultural heritage. The newly registered sites add to the national inventory, supporting efforts to safeguard these locations from threats such as invasions or other human interventions.
According to the Ministry, technical teams from DDC Cajamarca recorded 20 archaeological sites in 2024 and another 14 in 2025 after specialized evaluations determined their cultural value, conservation status, and necessary protective measures. Some sites already had official declarations but lacked defined boundaries; technical work was conducted to establish these limits for better protection.
Notable among the registered sites 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; Petroglifo La Lima in San Ignacio; and Piedra del Inca (Estela de Chontalí), among others. The collected information has been incorporated into the Geographic Information System for Archaeology (SIGDA) through the Directorate of Legal Physical Sanitation, allowing updates to Peru’s Cadastre of Pre-Hispanic Archaeological Monuments and supporting future procedures for declaring them National Cultural Heritage.
Local governments have also been notified about these findings to encourage coordinated management for site protection under the Organic Law of Municipalities. The Ministry said these actions reaffirm its commitment to protecting, conserving, and promoting cultural heritage for future generations.
