Pikimachay, Archaeological cave site in Ayacucho Department, Peru.
Pikimachay is an archaeological cave in the Ayacucho Department of central highland Peru. The site consists of a large limestone cavity with several interconnected chambers where researchers have uncovered stone tools and animal bones.
Archaeologists discovered evidence of human occupation in the 1960s, with findings suggesting groups used the cave as a shelter thousands of years ago. The objects found indicate that early hunters took refuge here while pursuing game across the surrounding high plains.
Local communities still use Quechua terms to describe the surrounding landscape, and the site remains connected to oral traditions about early inhabitants of the high plains. Visitors often hear stories from guides about how the first people adapted to the harsh climate by seeking shelter in natural rock formations.
Reaching the site from Huamanga takes around half an hour on an unpaved road through the Pacaycasa district. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes and take care during the rainy season, as the path can become slippery.
Researchers found preserved plant material here, including remains of bottle gourds that rank among the oldest evidence of plant use in the Peruvian highlands. These findings show that people began gathering and possibly cultivating plants much earlier than once thought.
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