On Monday, the Ministry of Culture condemned vandalism at Zhang Chan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in northern Peru, where graffiti was found over the weekend.
A video that circulated widely shows a young man, wearing a backpack, spray-painting a large phallic symbol on the ancient walls of this over 600-year-old fortified complex.
The ministry stated, “This act shows a serious disrespect towards our history and cultural heritage and violates regulations aimed at protecting archaeological sites.”
The individual responsible for the vandalism, which could lead to a sentence of up to six years in prison, has not yet been identified.
As noted by the United Nations, Chang Chang was once the site of the largest terrestrial architectural city in pre-Columbian America.
This ancient city featured temples, homes, and reservoirs, often adorned with abstract designs.
At its height in the 15th century, Chang Chang housed approximately 30,000 residents and covered an area of 20 square kilometers (about 12 miles).
Located around 550 km north of Lima, close to the coastal city of Trujillo, it has been recognized as a UNESCO site since 1986.
Alongside the Inca fortress of Machu Picchu and the sacred city of Caral, Chang Chang stands as one of Peru’s most cherished archaeological locations.
