The archaeological importance of the Río Abiseo National Park is based upon the existence of cultural remains dating to approximately 8,000 BC. although they are still little-known and little-studied.

Investigations demonstrate that the prehistoric inhabitants learned to utilize the forest without destroying it, a lesson that contemporary man still must learn.

From the excavations carried out at the site of Gran PajaTén (located at 2,850 m above sea level) cultural deposits that date to 406 BC (by the radiocarbon technique), during the Early Horizon in Peruvian prehistory, indicate that the pre-Hispanic inhabitants were in contact with the Callejón de Huaylas to the southwest, and with Cajamarca to the northwest (Church 1988).

The funerary complex of Los Pinchudos shows stylistic influence from the Moche culture (AD 100-800) (Kauffmann 1984).

The lithic remains of the Manachaqui Cave resemble those of Palaeo-Indian sites in Ecuador and Chile. The ceramics found at Manachaqui show similarity to early pottery from the south coast of Ecuador. Ceramic types from Gran Pajatén are also represented, as well as ceramics from all periods of Peruvian prehistory from the Initial Period to the Late Horizon (Plan Operativo 1990-1992, Volume I).

Ecological Resoursos of the Peruvian National Park RÍO ABISEO (Excerpt of the same book)

Map of the Park

Presentation of the book