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Peru
Finding of prehistoric engravings in La Libertad: rock paintings of 180 cm discovered on a 23-meter-long wall
Guided by the memory of Germán Contreras, a community member who claimed to have seen the paintings for decades, a technical team was able to confirm and record a discovery that could turn the area into a new axis of cultural tourism.
Jazmine Angulo
By
Jazmine Angulo
26 Jun, 2025 03:45 p.m. EST
Confirmation of rock art and
Confirmation of rock art and petroglyphs in Peña del Oso (Pagash Alto, district of Salpo, Trujillo). (Composition: Infobae / El Peruano)
In the province of Trujillo, within the Libertad district of Salpo, a technical expedition confirmed something that many locals have known for a long time: the walls of Peña del Oso, a rock formation located in the hamlet of Pagash Alto, contain rock art and petroglyphs of significant cultural value. The journey, driven by the District Municipality of Salpo, aimed not only to verify what had circulated for years as rumors but also to accurately record a series of ancestral figures that could change the archaeological map of the region.
It all started with the word of Germán Contreras, an elderly man from the area, known for his close connection with the hills surrounding Pagash. His life among the meadows and forests adjacent to Peña del Oso led him to discover decades ago the remnants of an ancient culture. Faced with the initial doubts of the team, Germán was decisive: “I know they exist, so let's go.” Without yielding to his physical problems, he led the expedition with the conviction of someone who has traveled those paths time and again.
The delegation, composed of local authorities, an archaeologist, and a journalist, walked among ravines, thick underbrush, and steep paths. The first stop was in a cave hidden by the mountain, where Jhon Benites Contreras, the municipal manager, found bone remains and signs of irregular entry. It was not just a natural space but a refuge with history, whose evidence has been deteriorated by the lack of protection.
The real breaking point occurred minutes later, during the final ascent. On a steep slope, at eleven in the morning, a shout broke the silence.
The red figures on the stone
Natural mural of more than
Natural mural of more than 23 meters with human figures, hands, circles, and symbols. (Andina)
“Here they are! Yes, there are!”, exclaimed Carlos Eizaguirre, a municipal agent from Pagash. His words were followed by the arrival of Benites Contreras, who confirmed with astonishment: “Yes... how beautiful.” The figures were visible, a fiery ochre red on the rocky surface. Human shapes, lines, circles, and symbols filled the large natural wall. It was finally the tangible proof that Germán had promised.
Daniel Castillo Benitez, an archaeologist specialized in rock art and a member of the expedition, approached quickly. Upon contemplating the strokes, he did not hesitate to exclaim: “Hernán, they are impressive!”, addressing the journalist accompanying him. The excitement was not only due to the quality of the images,
Castillo identified at least three layers of artistic occupation. One of the main figures, approximately 1.80 meters tall, depicted a character painted in red with five fingers marked on each hand. According to the specialist, the iconography could range from the late archaic to Inca times. “The ancient inhabitants viewed these hills as alive, with nature, and captured in certain chosen spaces their visual representations, what caught their attention and framed it as a reminder,” he explained.
In another section of the site, petroglyphs were found, along with a smaller painting containing circles. According to Castillo, these would be linked to the landscape and water sources, common elements in the ancestral art of the Andes. The environment suggests a close relationship between the physical space and the beliefs of those who inhabited it.
A wall that transcends borders
Castillo compared the finding to what he saw during his time in New Mexico, United States. “There was a little painting of 10 centimeters, while here we have a wall of 23 meters with paintings and petroglyphs that are in excellent condition except for one petroglyph,” he specified. This difference reinforces the importance of preserving the site, both for its historical value and its potential as a cultural destination.
As part of the subsequent work, it was announced that the images will undergo digital analysis with specialized software. The aim is to obtain details that the human eye cannot clearly capture, which will allow for a better understanding of the origin, evolution, and meaning of the elements represented on the stone.
Heritage and future tourism
The finding does not originate from
The finding does not originate from academic archaeology, but from the word of Germán Contreras, a community member from the area. (El Peruano)
Carlos Eizaguirre, who was at the forefront of the discovery in the field, called on the authorities not to ignore these figures. “We hope that this heritage is valued, so the world can know the culture captured in this iconography,” he expressed. It is not just a symbolic desire, but a concrete concern in the face of the risk of deterioration or looting.
From the municipality of Salpo, Jhon Benites reaffirmed the institutional commitment to enhance the site's value. “The objective of this management is to promote cultural tourism, and these findings are very important for that purpose,” he indicated. The possibility of developing an archaeological circuit in the area, with camping spaces and guided tours, is beginning to take shape among municipal plans.
The district mayor, Sigifredo Rojas Guevara, offered to coordinate with the competent entities to include Peña del Oso in the local tourism offer. The district already receives thousands of annual visitors for other natural attractions, so integrating this new point would strengthen its positioning as a cultural destination in the Libertad highlands.