Toad Sculpture Uncovers Secrets of Caral's Collapse Amid Drought

According to the news report, archaeologists have uncovered evidence that the ancient city of Caral, once the oldest in the Americas, disappeared due to devastating climate change. The key findings include a small sculpture of two toads and other water-related symbols discovered near Caral, as well as figures of skeletal remains of malnourished individuals on the walls of the Vichama archaeological site, located about 160 kilometers north of Lima.

The toad sculpture, dating back 3,800 years, is believed to symbolize fertility and the worship of water and rain after prolonged droughts, according to the Andean representation of the world. The figures of malnourished individuals found at Vichama, which flourished between 1800 and 1500 B.C., suggest the severe impact of climate change on the population.

Archaeologist Tatiana Abad, head of research at Vichama, states that the collapse of Caral and other ancient civilizations in different parts of the world was caused by global climate change, a long-term and large-scale shift in weather patterns. This phenomenon has both natural and human-driven causes, with human activities being the main drivers since the early 1800s.