Tres Ventanas, Cave site in Huarochiri region, Lima Department, Peru.
Tres Ventanas is a cave system in the Huarochiri region with three separate openings that penetrate the mountain, each offering access to different depths. The chambers are relatively low-ceilinged, under 5 meters high, and the natural structure provided shelter for settlement and storage.
Archaeological excavations in the 1960s revealed well-preserved remains dating back thousands of years, indicating that humans occupied this location in very ancient times. The discoveries show that people used this place over extended periods and developed their burial practices here.
The site reflects how early communities adapted to mountain life, with circular homes built from stone and bone tools scattered throughout the chambers. These people left behind signs of their daily routines, from hunting equipment to the way they honored their dead.
The site sits at high altitude, so visitors should allow time to adjust before exploring the caves. The cool temperature inside the chambers stays steady year-round, so warm clothing and a flashlight are needed for exploring.
One of the caves contains bones of extinct animals, showing that humans and large creatures from the distant past shared the same space. This discovery connects two different worlds from a time when Earth was still inhabited by other species.
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