Pikimachay

Piki Mach'ay is an archaeological site located in the Ayacucho Valley of Peru, notable for its modified cave structures. The site contains evidence of human activity dating back to the Upper Paleolithic period, with a conservative estimate of occupation around 12,000 years BCE. The site is rich in artifacts such as unifacial chipped tools and bone remains of ancient fauna like horses and camelids. Agricultural developments are evident from the remains of domesticated plants like gourds and quinoa, dating back to the Neolithic period, around 3,000 years BCE. The presence of guinea pig and llama bones suggests early domestication practices. Piki Mach'ay is a vital site for understanding the early human occupation and agricultural evolution in the Peruvian Andes.