A historic wall in the ancient city of Chan Chan, a UNESCO World Heritage site in northern Peru, has been defaced with graffiti in an act of vandalism that has sparked outrage and concern over the protection of the country’s cultural heritage.
According to BBC News, the perpetrator was captured on video spray-painting an image of male genitalia on one of the city’s original adobe walls. The incident occurred in the pre-Columbian city located approximately 500 kilometers north of Lima, which attracts thousands of visitors each month.
Peru’s Ministry of Culture condemned the act, stating that the vandal demonstrated “a profound lack of respect for our history and cultural heritage, as well as a violation of regulations that protect archaeological sites.” Authorities have launched an investigation and confirmed that the suspect could face up to six years in prison if apprehended.
The defacement prompted widespread criticism on social media, with many Peruvians questioning how the individual was able to commit the act without intervention. Concerns have also been raised about the apparent lack of adequate security measures at such an important archaeological site.
Chan Chan, once the capital of the Chimú civilization before its conquest by the Incas in the 15th century, is considered one of Peru’s most significant pre-Columbian cities. UNESCO describes it as the largest adobe city in the Americas, comprising multiple walled complexes and extending across a vast area.
This incident follows a similar act of vandalism months earlier, when a man caused damage to the famed “12 Corner Stone” in the city of Cuzco, another of Peru’s historic Inca landmarks.
Authorities have reiterated the importance of safeguarding Peru’s cultural sites and pledged to strengthen preservation efforts to prevent future offenses.
