The Lost City of Peru

Film info

Film summary

Over 2,000 years ago, a little known civilisation called the Moche dominated the North coast of Peru. Huge palaces and amazing artifacts were abandoned, buried under sand after a mass evacuation. Why?

Key facts

• Fossils and artefacts found on Peru's northern coast provided evidence of a civilisation that was destroyed by extreme climate change - a mega El Niño.
• The images adorning pottery and the human remains found suggested that the Moche used human sacrifice to try and affect the weather.
• Climatologists suggest that from 560 to 650 AD there was 30 years and drought, followed by 30 years of flood in the region.
• This mega El Nino would have created famine and pestilence within the Moche community - and could be behind their demise.