Archaeologists in Peru have uncovered a 4,000-year-old, multicoloured, three-dimensional mural at the Huaca Yolanda site in the Tanguche valley, offering new insights into early civilizations in the Americas.

The 3×6 metre mural features a large bird of prey, high-relief friezes, and depictions of fish, mythological beings, and stars, highlighting social hierarchies and spiritual practices of the time.

Lead archaeologist Ana Cecilia Mauricio explained that shamans or priests likely held power, combining religious, scientific, and astronomical knowledge, The Guardian has reported.

Some figures may represent ritualistic transformations induced by hallucinogens like San Pedro cactus. Predating Chavín de Huántar, Huaca Yolanda illustrates how early coastal societies managed agriculture, the sea, and environmental challenges, potentially offering lessons for modern climate adaptation.