Archaeologists Find 5,500-year-old Plaza in Peru

(Reuters) - A ceremonial plaza built 5,500 years ago has been discovered in Peru, and archaeologists involved in the dig said on Monday carbon dating shows it is one of the oldest structures ever found in the Americas.

A team of Peruvian and German archaeologists uncovered the circular plaza, which was hidden beneath another piece of architecture at the ruins known as Sechin Bajo, in Casma, 229 miles north of Lima, the capital.  Friezes depicting a warrior with a knife and trophies were found near the plaza.

To read the entire article click here.

Cuy - An Inca Delicacy

Do you serve white or red wine with guinea pig?  I'm uncertain. But if you travel through Peru you will find it not only in small local road-side stands but also in gourmet establishments in the heart of Lima.  It has long been a staple protein of the Andes; in fact, it has a place in pre-Columbian Inca tradition. Cuy ('koo-ee'), as guinea pigs are locally known, were once only reserved for nobility. Today they are raised by the locals and are common in rural Andean households as a sort of savings account.  They are so easy and inexpensive to breed that when a family needs money they can simply sell a dozen or so for about $11 a piece.   Traditionally they are served whole but most have discovered that tourists prefer if the unsightly head and paws are removed before serving.

When we were shooting our Holiday 2007 catalogue in Peru one of our team members heard "cuy" was a highly recommended local dish.  She ordered it not knowing exactly what it was.  She assumed it was some kind of special rice dish.  Imagine her surprise when the plate below arrived!

She could not bring herself to try it and had to promptly leave the table but the rest of us could not pass up the opportunity.  It was delicious!  It tasted like a cross between rabbit and dark chicken meat.  So if you have an adventurous spirit then I highly recommend this Andean delicacy and I think I can now also suggest with confidence either Pinot Gris or Chardonnay.

Learn More About Peru

It's no secret that we have a deep affinity for all things Peru. So you can understand our delight when we discovered this great video on YouTube, created by Tourism Peru.

Enjoy!

Peruvian Connection is not responsible for the contents of external internet sites.

The Witches Market

It is certainly relevant this time of year to entertain ideas of magic, divination, spirits and concoctions.  These may seem too dark or even silly for you but the witches of La Paz, Bolivia, and their patrons, take it quite seriously. 

Read more about the Witches Market of La Paz, Bolivia in our latest e-Newsletter.

Helping Peruvian Women Help Themselves

                                             

One of my favorite things about Peruvian Connection is a long and enduring commitment to our community of artisans. Since Annie's first visit to Peru back in 1976, we've been proud to work with skilled craftswomen whose efforts are rewarded with good wages and clean, safe working conditions.

But sadly, these women are in the minority.

A staggering 70% of Peruvian women work in precarious conditions with low income and virtually no access to social benefits. Their best opportunity to earn money is to operate a small business. These women are willing to invest the long hours it takes to operate and grow their business, but without capital or training, survival is difficult ... and success is rare.

Pro Mujer helps Peruvian women—and working women in Bolivia, Mexico, Nicaragua and Argentina—rise above the poverty line with access to micro-loans, basic business training and affordable healthcare services. We're proud to support Pro Mujer Peru, a nonprofit organization that shares our philosophy of respect for other cultures, the fostering of artisan traditions, and ecological and economical sustainability.

If you'd like to help, you may make a tax-deductible donation to Pro Mujer on our site, or purchase a luxurious throw, the proceeds of which go directly to Pro Mujer. To learn more about Pro Mujer's work, visit www.promujer.org.