Unveils Human Burials, Metal Artifacts, and Hidden Architecture

The historic citadel of Marcahuamachuco, located in Peru’s La Libertad region, continues to reveal its secrets. In July 2025, archaeologists from the Ministry of Culture uncovered human burials, animal remains, and valuable metal artifacts—including silver, copper, and gold-plated items—alongside ceramics attributed to the Huamachuco and Cajamarca cultures.

But that’s not all: underground architectural structures were also detected—areas that had not been excavated until now. This discovery not only reinforces Marcahuamachuco’s ceremonial and political importance between 350 and 1100 A.D., but also expands our understanding of the cultural and technological development reached by these societies before the Inca expansion.

Renowned for its monumental stone architecture, Marcahuamachuco is often referred to as the “Machu Picchu of the North.” This recent finding confirms that there is still much more to discover beneath its massive walls.