A mural believed to be 3,800 years old and from a lost civilisation has been found by archaeologists in Peru investigating an ancient city.
The mural, depicting a toad that wraps its hands around the head of a man, was discovered in the Vichama archaeological site in the north of the country, 68 miles (110 km) north of the capital, Lima.
Archaeologist Tatiana Abad, told a news conference in Lima, the mural represents the “announcement of the arrival of water”.
Last week, a wall relief dating from the same period showing snakes and human heads was uncovered at the same site
“It talks about the importance of water in times of crisis and the reflections that we can create from them,” she added.
Excavators have been working at Vichama since 2007, revealing new ideas about the ancient Caral civilisation such as an advanced city plan and architecture.
The Caral, believed to be the oldest civilisation in the Americas, dates back to 3,000 BCE.
Not much is known of the ancient city currently being investigated, but some believe climate change may have contributed to its demise as it is located in an arid region of Peru.
According to archaeologists, the civilisation was mysteriously toppled at around 1,600 BCE.
Last week, a wall relief dating from the same period showing snakes and human heads was uncovered at the same site.
It shows four human heads with their eyes closed. Two snakes pass between them, pointing their heads toward what appears to be an anthropomorphised seed.
The serpents represent a water deity, which irrigates the earth to make seeds grow, Ms Abad said.
