Over the weekend, Chan Chan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in northern Peru, was defaced with obscene graffiti by a vandal, as reported by the Ministry of Culture on Monday.
A video of a young man spray-painting a giant penis on a wall of this ancient fortified complex, which is over 600 years old, went viral.
The Ministry stated, “This act is a serious disrespect to our history and cultural heritage, and a breach of the regulations protecting archaeological sites.”
The vandal could face up to six years in prison, but has not yet been identified.
Chan Chan was once the largest earthen architectural city in pre-Columbian America, housing temples, dwellings, and storehouses adorned with abstract motifs.
In its prime during the 15th century, Chan Chan was a vast city of about 30,000 inhabitants spread over 20 square kilometers (12 miles).
Located near Trujillo, about 550 kilometers north of Lima, Chan Chan has been a UNESCO site since 1986.
Together with Machu Picchu and the Sacred City of Caral-Supe, Chan Chan is among Peru’s most cherished archaeological sites.
(This article has been generated by AI and may differ from the original in terms of style and wording)
