[1/5] Archaeologists work on a 4,500-year-old polychrome wall, part of a temple belonging to the Late Preceramic period, in the Huaca Tomabal in the Valley of Viru, Peru August 18, 2023. Feren Castillo/PAVI/Handout via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsLIMA, Aug 24 (Reuters) - An ancient polychrome wall discovered in northern Peru is believed to be over 4,000 years old and could have been part of a ceremonial temple, according to archaeologists, offering new insights into the region's historic cultures. The remains of the ancient building were revealed in the Viru Valley, some 480 km (298 miles) north of Lima. "The most important section ... must have been a pre-ceramic temple, with a hearth at its center that we will likely be able to excavate later," he said. Reporting by Anthony Marina, Writing by Marco Aquino and Isabel Woodford; Editing by Sandra MalerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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Persons: Feren Castillo, Castillo, Anthony Marina, Marco Aquino, Isabel Woodford, Sandra Maler Organizations: REUTERS Acquire, Rights, La Libertad, Thomson Locations: Viru, Peru, Handout, La, Lima, Ica, Machu Picchu, Cusco, Ecuador, Colombia, Chile