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Fears for orangutans, dolphins as Indonesia presses on with new capital

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Just outside Indonesia’s planned new capital on Borneo island, an orangutan catches a banana with one hand, thrown by a conservationist on a boat, while her other hand clings to a tree branch.

She is one of 127 orangutans that the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF) is caring for in the Samboja district, East Kalimantan. They have lost their homes due to deforestation, often linked to coal mining, and palm oil and timber plantations.

But the giant apes could face an even bigger threat as Southeast Asia’s largest country builds from scratch Nusantara – a new $32 billion city.

A male Orangutan called 'Boni' is seen at the Arsari Orangutan Sanctuary Center located near Indonesia's projected new capital called Nusantara, in Sepaku, East Kalimantan province, Indonesia, March 7, 2023. Photo: Reuters

A male Orangutan called ‘Boni’ is seen at the Arsari Orangutan Sanctuary Center located near Indonesia’s projected new capital called Nusantara, in Sepaku, East Kalimantan province, Indonesia, March 7, 2023. Photo: Reuters

The government has promised to protect wildlife and undertake major reforestation in parts of the capital, which has been marketed to investors as a smart and green city.

But environmentalists are wary that construction in an area spanning nearly 260,000 hectares (642,474 acres) – almost four times the size of Singapore – would disturb some of Borneo’s endemic fauna, including endangered long-nosed monkeys, Irrawaddy dolphins and orangutans.

“Our biggest concern is Balikpapan bay will turn into a giant pond, a place for residual waste from Nusantara’s activities,” said Mappaselle, a director with local environment group Pokja Pesisir.

Cages for Orangutans are seen at the Arsari Orangutag Sanctuary Center located near Indonesia's projected new capital called Nusantara, in Sepaku, East Kalimantan province, Indonesia, March 7, 2023. Photo: Reuters

Cages for Orangutans are seen at the Arsari Orangutag Sanctuary Center located near Indonesia’s projected new capital called Nusantara, in Sepaku, East Kalimantan province, Indonesia, March 7, 2023. Photo: Reuters

About 400 hectares of mangrove forests along the coastline of Balikpapan bay have already been cleared according to the group’s estimation, to make way for a coal port and oil refinery.

He feared more could be razed when a new toll road is built connecting Nusantara to the nearest city of Balikpapan, as well as a port to bring in construction materials.

The Nusantara Capital City Authority said mangroves would be replanted in other areas and guidelines have been made for workers encountering an animal.

“It’s a very high concern of how we’ll try to have harmony between people, nature and culture…because that’s the soul of the city,” Nusantara chief Bambang Susantono said.

A female Orangutan called 'Kikan' eats an eggplant during the feeding time at a rehabilitation and reintroduction site of Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF) Samboja Lestari located near Indonesia's projected new capital called Nusantara, in Samboja, East Kalimantan province, Indonesia, March 9, 2023. Photo: Reuters

A female Orangutan called ‘Kikan’ eats an eggplant during the feeding time at a rehabilitation and reintroduction site of Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF) Samboja Lestari located near Indonesia’s projected new capital called Nusantara, in Samboja, East Kalimantan province, Indonesia, March 9, 2023. Photo: Reuters

Foundations are being laid for government buildings. Later this year, homes will be built for 16,000 civil servants, military and police officers due to move in next year.

For now, conservationists hope the government stays true to its pledge to care for animals.

“We hope that with the capital city being here, we can pave the way for animals to live side by side (with humans),” said BOSF manager Aldrianto Priadjati.

“At least provide an area for orangutans so they can live a better life.”

Arsari Foundation officers walk after feeding the Orangutans at their sanctuary center located near Indonesia's projected new capital called Nusantaara, in Sepaku, East Kalimantan province, Indonesia, March 7, 2023. Photo: Reuters

Arsari Foundation officers walk after feeding the Orangutans at their sanctuary center located near Indonesia’s projected new capital called Nusantaara, in Sepaku, East Kalimantan province, Indonesia, March 7, 2023. Photo: Reuters

Just outside Indonesia’s planned new capital on Borneo island, an orangutan catches a banana with one hand, thrown by a conservationist on a boat, while her other hand clings to a tree branch.

She is one of 127 orangutans that the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF) is caring for in the Samboja district, East Kalimantan. They have lost their homes due to deforestation, often linked to coal mining, and palm oil and timber plantations.

But the giant apes could face an even bigger threat as Southeast Asia’s largest country builds from scratch Nusantara – a new $32 billion city.

A male Orangutan called 'Boni' is seen at the Arsari Orangutan Sanctuary Center located near Indonesia's projected new capital called Nusantara, in Sepaku, East Kalimantan province, Indonesia, March 7, 2023. Photo: Reuters

A male Orangutan called ‘Boni’ is seen at the Arsari Orangutan Sanctuary Center located near Indonesia’s projected new capital called Nusantara, in Sepaku, East Kalimantan province, Indonesia, March 7, 2023. Photo: Reuters

The government has promised to protect wildlife and undertake major reforestation in parts of the capital, which has been marketed to investors as a smart and green city.

But environmentalists are wary that construction in an area spanning nearly 260,000 hectares (642,474 acres) – almost four times the size of Singapore – would disturb some of Borneo’s endemic fauna, including endangered long-nosed monkeys, Irrawaddy dolphins and orangutans.

“Our biggest concern is Balikpapan bay will turn into a giant pond, a place for residual waste from Nusantara’s activities,” said Mappaselle, a director with local environment group Pokja Pesisir.

Cages for Orangutans are seen at the Arsari Orangutag Sanctuary Center located near Indonesia's projected new capital called Nusantara, in Sepaku, East Kalimantan province, Indonesia, March 7, 2023. Photo: Reuters

Cages for Orangutans are seen at the Arsari Orangutag Sanctuary Center located near Indonesia’s projected new capital called Nusantara, in Sepaku, East Kalimantan province, Indonesia, March 7, 2023. Photo: Reuters

About 400 hectares of mangrove forests along the coastline of Balikpapan bay have already been cleared according to the group’s estimation, to make way for a coal port and oil refinery.

He feared more could be razed when a new toll road is built connecting Nusantara to the nearest city of Balikpapan, as well as a port to bring in construction materials.

The Nusantara Capital City Authority said mangroves would be replanted in other areas and guidelines have been made for workers encountering an animal.

“It’s a very high concern of how we’ll try to have harmony between people, nature and culture…because that’s the soul of the city,” Nusantara chief Bambang Susantono said.

A female Orangutan called 'Kikan' eats an eggplant during the feeding time at a rehabilitation and reintroduction site of Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF) Samboja Lestari located near Indonesia's projected new capital called Nusantara, in Samboja, East Kalimantan province, Indonesia, March 9, 2023. Photo: Reuters

A female Orangutan called ‘Kikan’ eats an eggplant during the feeding time at a rehabilitation and reintroduction site of Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF) Samboja Lestari located near Indonesia’s projected new capital called Nusantara, in Samboja, East Kalimantan province, Indonesia, March 9, 2023. Photo: Reuters

Foundations are being laid for government buildings. Later this year, homes will be built for 16,000 civil servants, military and police officers due to move in next year.

For now, conservationists hope the government stays true to its pledge to care for animals.

“We hope that with the capital city being here, we can pave the way for animals to live side by side (with humans),” said BOSF manager Aldrianto Priadjati.

“At least provide an area for orangutans so they can live a better life.”

Arsari Foundation officers walk after feeding the Orangutans at their sanctuary center located near Indonesia's projected new capital called Nusantaara, in Sepaku, East Kalimantan province, Indonesia, March 7, 2023. Photo: Reuters

Arsari Foundation officers walk after feeding the Orangutans at their sanctuary center located near Indonesia’s projected new capital called Nusantaara, in Sepaku, East Kalimantan province, Indonesia, March 7, 2023. Photo: Reuters

Source: https://tuoitrenews.vn/news/international/20230322/fears-for-orangutans-dolphins-as-indonesia-presses-on-with-new-capital/72205.html

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Japan PM Kishida evacuated unhurt after explosion at speech – media

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TOKYO – Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was evacuated unhurt after a suspect threw what appeared to be a smoke bomb at an outdoor speech in western Japan on Saturday, domestic media reported.

A loud explosion was heard, but the premier took cover and was unharmed while police subdued a man at the scene, public broadcaster NHK said. There were no injuries, NHK said, citing police.

“Police are investigating the details of the loud explosive sound at the previous speech venue,” Kishida said when he resumed his campaign speeches, in video broadcast by NHK. “I am sorry for causing many people to be concerned. We are in the middle of an important election for our country. We must carry this on together.”

Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the longest-serving leader of modern Japan, was assassinated with a homemade gun last July while campaigning for a parliamentary election, shocking the nation and prompting a review of security for politicians, who routinely press the flesh with the public.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida attends his outdoor speech at Saikazaki fishing port in Wakayama,Wakayama Prefecture, south-western Japan April 15, 2023, in this photo released by Kyodo. Photo: Reuters
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida attends his outdoor speech at Saikazaki fishing port in Wakayama,Wakayama Prefecture, south-western Japan April 15, 2023, in this photo released by Kyodo. Photo: Reuters

By-elections in various regions for the lower house of Japan’s parliament are to be held on April 23.

The incident late on Saturday morning incident occurred at the Saikazaki fishing harbour in Wakayama prefecture, some 65 km (40 miles) southwest of Osaka city.

Kishida was being served local speciality seafood just before the explosion, media reported. News video showed Kishida looking behind him in surprise as shouts filled the area.

A man, believed to be a suspect who threw a pipe-like object near Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during his outdoor speech, is held by police officers at Saikazaki fishing port in Wakayama, Wakayama Prefecture, south-western Japan April 15, 2023, in this photo released by Kyodo. Photo: Reuters
A man, believed to be a suspect who threw a pipe-like object near Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during his outdoor speech, is held by police officers at Saikazaki fishing port in Wakayama, Wakayama Prefecture, south-western Japan April 15, 2023, in this photo released by Kyodo. Photo: Reuters

A man identified by the Asahi newspaper as a staffer of the fishery cooperative grabbed a young man in a headlock as police swarmed the suspect and dragged him to the ground. Moments later, an explosion and cloud of smoke could be seen near where Kishida had been standing.

NHK video showed the thrown object, which appeared to be a metal cylinder.

NHK footage showed crowds running away as several police officers appeared to pin a man to the ground before removing him from the scene. The man appeared to be in his 20s or 30s, media said.

A representative of Wakayama’s prefectural police headquarters told Reuters he could not answer questions about the incident. Police arrested a 24-year old male suspect from Kawanishi city, Kyodo reported.

A woman on the scene told NHK that she saw an object flying overhead and “it gave me a bad feeling, so we ran away unbelievably fast. Then we heard a really loud noise. It made my daughter cry.”

Kishida is to host a Group of Seven (G7) summit in Hiroshima next month. Japan’s foreign ministry said after the incident there would be no change to the security plan for a G7 foreign ministers’ meeting starting on Sunday in the resort city of Karuizawa.

A man, believed to be a suspect who threw a pipe-like object near Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during his outdoor speech, is held by police officers at Saikazaki fishing port in Wakayama, Wakayama Prefecture, south-western Japan April 15, 2023, in this photo released by Kyodo. Photo: Reuters
A man, believed to be a suspect who threw a pipe-like object near Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during his outdoor speech, is held by police officers at Saikazaki fishing port in Wakayama, Wakayama Prefecture, south-western Japan April 15, 2023, in this photo released by Kyodo. Photo: Reuters
A man, believed to be a suspect who threw a pipe-like object near Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during his outdoor speech, is held by police officers at Saikazaki fishing port in Wakayama, Wakayama Prefecture, south-western Japan April 15, 2023, in this photo released by Kyodo. Photo: Reuters
A man, believed to be a suspect who threw a pipe-like object near Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during his outdoor speech, is held by police officers at Saikazaki fishing port in Wakayama, Wakayama Prefecture, south-western Japan April 15, 2023, in this photo released by Kyodo. Photo: Reuters

TOKYO – Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was evacuated unhurt after a suspect threw what appeared to be a smoke bomb at an outdoor speech in western Japan on Saturday, domestic media reported.

A loud explosion was heard, but the premier took cover and was unharmed while police subdued a man at the scene, public broadcaster NHK said. There were no injuries, NHK said, citing police.

“Police are investigating the details of the loud explosive sound at the previous speech venue,” Kishida said when he resumed his campaign speeches, in video broadcast by NHK. “I am sorry for causing many people to be concerned. We are in the middle of an important election for our country. We must carry this on together.”

Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the longest-serving leader of modern Japan, was assassinated with a homemade gun last July while campaigning for a parliamentary election, shocking the nation and prompting a review of security for politicians, who routinely press the flesh with the public.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida attends his outdoor speech at Saikazaki fishing port in Wakayama,Wakayama Prefecture, south-western Japan April 15, 2023, in this photo released by Kyodo. Photo: Reuters
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida attends his outdoor speech at Saikazaki fishing port in Wakayama,Wakayama Prefecture, south-western Japan April 15, 2023, in this photo released by Kyodo. Photo: Reuters

By-elections in various regions for the lower house of Japan’s parliament are to be held on April 23.

The incident late on Saturday morning incident occurred at the Saikazaki fishing harbour in Wakayama prefecture, some 65 km (40 miles) southwest of Osaka city.

Kishida was being served local speciality seafood just before the explosion, media reported. News video showed Kishida looking behind him in surprise as shouts filled the area.

A man, believed to be a suspect who threw a pipe-like object near Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during his outdoor speech, is held by police officers at Saikazaki fishing port in Wakayama, Wakayama Prefecture, south-western Japan April 15, 2023, in this photo released by Kyodo. Photo: Reuters
A man, believed to be a suspect who threw a pipe-like object near Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during his outdoor speech, is held by police officers at Saikazaki fishing port in Wakayama, Wakayama Prefecture, south-western Japan April 15, 2023, in this photo released by Kyodo. Photo: Reuters

A man identified by the Asahi newspaper as a staffer of the fishery cooperative grabbed a young man in a headlock as police swarmed the suspect and dragged him to the ground. Moments later, an explosion and cloud of smoke could be seen near where Kishida had been standing.

NHK video showed the thrown object, which appeared to be a metal cylinder.

NHK footage showed crowds running away as several police officers appeared to pin a man to the ground before removing him from the scene. The man appeared to be in his 20s or 30s, media said.

A representative of Wakayama’s prefectural police headquarters told Reuters he could not answer questions about the incident. Police arrested a 24-year old male suspect from Kawanishi city, Kyodo reported.

A woman on the scene told NHK that she saw an object flying overhead and “it gave me a bad feeling, so we ran away unbelievably fast. Then we heard a really loud noise. It made my daughter cry.”

Kishida is to host a Group of Seven (G7) summit in Hiroshima next month. Japan’s foreign ministry said after the incident there would be no change to the security plan for a G7 foreign ministers’ meeting starting on Sunday in the resort city of Karuizawa.

A man, believed to be a suspect who threw a pipe-like object near Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during his outdoor speech, is held by police officers at Saikazaki fishing port in Wakayama, Wakayama Prefecture, south-western Japan April 15, 2023, in this photo released by Kyodo. Photo: Reuters
A man, believed to be a suspect who threw a pipe-like object near Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during his outdoor speech, is held by police officers at Saikazaki fishing port in Wakayama, Wakayama Prefecture, south-western Japan April 15, 2023, in this photo released by Kyodo. Photo: Reuters
A man, believed to be a suspect who threw a pipe-like object near Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during his outdoor speech, is held by police officers at Saikazaki fishing port in Wakayama, Wakayama Prefecture, south-western Japan April 15, 2023, in this photo released by Kyodo. Photo: Reuters
A man, believed to be a suspect who threw a pipe-like object near Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during his outdoor speech, is held by police officers at Saikazaki fishing port in Wakayama, Wakayama Prefecture, south-western Japan April 15, 2023, in this photo released by Kyodo. Photo: Reuters

Source: https://tuoitrenews.vn/news/international/20230415/japan-pm-kishida-evacuated-unhurt-after-explosion-at-speech-media/72648.html

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Fire in a children’s shelter in Brazil leaves at least 4 dead, 13 injured

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At least four people died and 13 were injured in a fire at a shelter for children and adolescents in Northeastern Brazil on Friday, the local fire department said.

Firemen were called to fight a fire at the Lar Paulo de Tarso charity institution in Recife, capital of the Pernambuco state, at around 4:20 a.m.

A mattress is seen behind a civil defence tape outside Lar Paulo de Tarso shelter for children, after a deadly fire in Recife, Pernambuco state, Brazil April 14, 2023. Photo: Reuters
A mattress is seen behind a civil defence tape outside Lar Paulo de Tarso shelter for children, after a deadly fire in Recife, Pernambuco state, Brazil April 14, 2023. Photo: Reuters

A boy and a woman died at the site of the fire, the firemen said, while the other two victims died on the way to the hospital.

Recife Mayor Joao Campos offered his condolences on social media.

Lar Paulo de Tarso shelter for children is seen with civil defence tape after a deadly fire in Recife, Pernambuco state, Brazil April 14, 2023. Photo: Reuters
Lar Paulo de Tarso shelter for children is seen with civil defence tape after a deadly fire in Recife, Pernambuco state, Brazil April 14, 2023. Photo: Reuters

“The moment is one of pain and solidarity. … The NGO has been providing shelter to children and adolescents in situations of social risk for more than 30 years. We remain mobilized to provide full support in this very difficult time,” he said on Twitter.

A burned area is seen after a deadly fire at Lar Paulo de Tarso shelter for children in Recife, Pernambuco state, Brazil April 14, 2023. Photo: Reuters
A burned area is seen after a deadly fire at Lar Paulo de Tarso shelter for children in Recife, Pernambuco state, Brazil April 14, 2023. Photo: Reuters

Governor of Pernambuco Raquel Lyra also took to Twitter to mourn the tragedy.

A burned area is seen after a deadly fire at Lar Paulo de Tarso shelter for children in Recife, Pernambuco state, Brazil April 14, 2023. Photo: Reuters
A burned area is seen after a deadly fire at Lar Paulo de Tarso shelter for children in Recife, Pernambuco state, Brazil April 14, 2023. Photo: Reuters

“Pernambuco is in mourning with what happened this early morning in Recife. … Firefighters and police are already working, as well as our health teams. I leave here my condolences to the families of the victims in this moment of pain,” Lyra said.

At least four people died and 13 were injured in a fire at a shelter for children and adolescents in Northeastern Brazil on Friday, the local fire department said.

Firemen were called to fight a fire at the Lar Paulo de Tarso charity institution in Recife, capital of the Pernambuco state, at around 4:20 a.m.

A mattress is seen behind a civil defence tape outside Lar Paulo de Tarso shelter for children, after a deadly fire in Recife, Pernambuco state, Brazil April 14, 2023. Photo: Reuters
A mattress is seen behind a civil defence tape outside Lar Paulo de Tarso shelter for children, after a deadly fire in Recife, Pernambuco state, Brazil April 14, 2023. Photo: Reuters

A boy and a woman died at the site of the fire, the firemen said, while the other two victims died on the way to the hospital.

Recife Mayor Joao Campos offered his condolences on social media.

Lar Paulo de Tarso shelter for children is seen with civil defence tape after a deadly fire in Recife, Pernambuco state, Brazil April 14, 2023. Photo: Reuters
Lar Paulo de Tarso shelter for children is seen with civil defence tape after a deadly fire in Recife, Pernambuco state, Brazil April 14, 2023. Photo: Reuters

“The moment is one of pain and solidarity. … The NGO has been providing shelter to children and adolescents in situations of social risk for more than 30 years. We remain mobilized to provide full support in this very difficult time,” he said on Twitter.

A burned area is seen after a deadly fire at Lar Paulo de Tarso shelter for children in Recife, Pernambuco state, Brazil April 14, 2023. Photo: Reuters
A burned area is seen after a deadly fire at Lar Paulo de Tarso shelter for children in Recife, Pernambuco state, Brazil April 14, 2023. Photo: Reuters

Governor of Pernambuco Raquel Lyra also took to Twitter to mourn the tragedy.

A burned area is seen after a deadly fire at Lar Paulo de Tarso shelter for children in Recife, Pernambuco state, Brazil April 14, 2023. Photo: Reuters
A burned area is seen after a deadly fire at Lar Paulo de Tarso shelter for children in Recife, Pernambuco state, Brazil April 14, 2023. Photo: Reuters

“Pernambuco is in mourning with what happened this early morning in Recife. … Firefighters and police are already working, as well as our health teams. I leave here my condolences to the families of the victims in this moment of pain,” Lyra said.

Source: https://tuoitrenews.vn/news/international/20230415/fire-in-a-children-s-shelter-in-brazil-leaves-at-least-4-dead-13-injured/72646.html

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Peruvian archaeologists unearth 500-year-old Inca ceremonial bath

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LIMA — Archaeologists in the Peruvian Andes have discovered an Inca bathing complex built half a millennia ago, which they believe may have served the elite of the sprawling empire that once dominated large swathes of South America.

Found near the “House of the Inca” in the Huanuco Pampa archaeological zone in central Peru, local archaeologists believe that the bath may have served a religious purpose for high-ranking members of the Inca empire, which 500 years ago extended from southern Ecuador to the center of Chile.

The remains of an ancient ceremonial Inca bathroom, discovered in a sector known as Inkawasi (House of the Inca), at the archaeological site Huanuco Pampa, are pictured in Huanuco, Peru April 5, 2023. Peru Culture Ministry/Handout via Reuters
The remains of an ancient ceremonial Inca bathroom, discovered in a sector known as Inkawasi (House of the Inca), at the archaeological site Huanuco Pampa, are pictured in Huanuco, Peru April 5, 2023. Peru Culture Ministry/Handout via Reuters

Luis Paredes Sanchez, project manager at Huanuco Pampa, said the structure was similar to “more hierarchical, restricted and sacred spaces within the Inca administrative centers, because rather than having a utilitarian or hygienic function, they also served for religious functions and worshiping ancestors.”

The “finely carved” bath averages some two-meters in depth, with independent pools and spillways and a central passage taking water into a drainage duct that divides the room into two small platforms, or “benches” for the Inca, Peru’s culture ministry said in a statement.

Archaeologists work in the remains of an ancient ceremonial Inca bathroom, discovered in a sector known as Inkawasi (House of the Inca), at the archaeological site Huanuco Pampa, in Huanuco, Peru March 20, 2023. Peru Culture Ministry/Handout via Reuters
Archaeologists work in the remains of an ancient ceremonial Inca bathroom, discovered in a sector known as Inkawasi (House of the Inca), at the archaeological site Huanuco Pampa, in Huanuco, Peru March 20, 2023. Peru Culture Ministry/Handout via Reuters

The Huanuco Pampa archaeological site is part of the Qhapaq Nan project, a complex 25,000-kilometer-long road network that linked Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia and Argentina. The road system was declared a World Heritage Site in 2014.

Peru is home to hundreds of archaeological sites across the country, including the Machu Picchu citadel in the Inca capital of Cusco, and the Nasca lines, massive designs drawn in Ica’s coastal desert region over 1,500 years ago.

LIMA — Archaeologists in the Peruvian Andes have discovered an Inca bathing complex built half a millennia ago, which they believe may have served the elite of the sprawling empire that once dominated large swathes of South America.

Found near the “House of the Inca” in the Huanuco Pampa archaeological zone in central Peru, local archaeologists believe that the bath may have served a religious purpose for high-ranking members of the Inca empire, which 500 years ago extended from southern Ecuador to the center of Chile.

The remains of an ancient ceremonial Inca bathroom, discovered in a sector known as Inkawasi (House of the Inca), at the archaeological site Huanuco Pampa, are pictured in Huanuco, Peru April 5, 2023. Peru Culture Ministry/Handout via Reuters
The remains of an ancient ceremonial Inca bathroom, discovered in a sector known as Inkawasi (House of the Inca), at the archaeological site Huanuco Pampa, are pictured in Huanuco, Peru April 5, 2023. Peru Culture Ministry/Handout via Reuters

Luis Paredes Sanchez, project manager at Huanuco Pampa, said the structure was similar to “more hierarchical, restricted and sacred spaces within the Inca administrative centers, because rather than having a utilitarian or hygienic function, they also served for religious functions and worshiping ancestors.”

The “finely carved” bath averages some two-meters in depth, with independent pools and spillways and a central passage taking water into a drainage duct that divides the room into two small platforms, or “benches” for the Inca, Peru’s culture ministry said in a statement.

Archaeologists work in the remains of an ancient ceremonial Inca bathroom, discovered in a sector known as Inkawasi (House of the Inca), at the archaeological site Huanuco Pampa, in Huanuco, Peru March 20, 2023. Peru Culture Ministry/Handout via Reuters
Archaeologists work in the remains of an ancient ceremonial Inca bathroom, discovered in a sector known as Inkawasi (House of the Inca), at the archaeological site Huanuco Pampa, in Huanuco, Peru March 20, 2023. Peru Culture Ministry/Handout via Reuters

The Huanuco Pampa archaeological site is part of the Qhapaq Nan project, a complex 25,000-kilometer-long road network that linked Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia and Argentina. The road system was declared a World Heritage Site in 2014.

Peru is home to hundreds of archaeological sites across the country, including the Machu Picchu citadel in the Inca capital of Cusco, and the Nasca lines, massive designs drawn in Ica’s coastal desert region over 1,500 years ago.

Source: https://tuoitrenews.vn/news/international/20230415/peruvian-archaeologists-unearth-500yearold-inca-ceremonial-bath/72645.html

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