Ancient Toad Sculpture Unearthed in Peru: A Window Into Climate Impact on Caral Civilization

Archaeologists have unearthed a 3,800-year-old sculpture depicting two toads at the Vichama archaeological site in Peru, offering new insights into how climate change may have contributed to the decline of the ancient Caral civilization.

The 12-centimeter (4.7-inch) sculpture, discovered in August 2025, portrays two toads and is believed to symbolize fertility and water worship in Andean culture. This finding suggests that the inhabitants of Vichama, located approximately 160 kilometers north of Lima, were responding to severe droughts that impacted their society. Alongside the sculpture, archaeologists uncovered wall reliefs depicting skeletal figures in a state of malnutrition, further indicating the hardships faced due to environmental challenges.

Vichama was an urban center that flourished between 1800 and 1500 B.C., following the decline of the Caral civilization. Caral, dating back around 5,000 years, is considered the oldest known civilization in the Americas. It developed contemporaneously with ancient Egyptian and Sumerian civilizations but evolved independently. The civilization is renowned for its monumental architecture and complex societal structures.

The toad sculpture's symbolism is deeply rooted in Andean culture, where toads are associated with fertility and rain, especially following periods of drought. Tatiana Abad, head of research at Vichama, explained, "The sculpture representing the toads symbolizes fertility, and the worship of water and rain after prolonged droughts, according to the Andean ... ." The skeletal figures found alongside the sculpture are believed to represent the community's struggles with malnutrition and food scarcity during times of environmental stress.

These findings align with global patterns where ancient societies faced challenges due to environmental changes. Similar to the Caral civilization, other ancient societies, such as the Maya, experienced declines due to prolonged droughts. Recent studies have linked a 13-year drought to the decline of the Maya civilization over 1,000 years ago.

The discovery at Vichama underscores the intricate relationship between ancient societies and their environments, emphasizing the enduring impact of climate change on human development. It highlights the importance of water and fertility in Andean culture and reflects the community's reverence for natural elements and their attempts to seek divine intervention during times of crisis.

Peru's rich archaeological heritage continues to provide valuable insights into the complexities of ancient civilizations and their responses to environmental challenges. The findings at Vichama contribute to a broader understanding of how climate change has historically affected human societies and offer lessons for contemporary challenges.