Montegrande Archaeological Site

Montegrande is a c. 3000 BC spiral temple site in Jaen province, Cajamarca, Peru, attributed to the Mayo-Chinchipe culture. The distinctive spiral structure, built of adobe and rounded stones, spans over two acres and may represent a coiled serpent. Excavations by Quirino Olivera revealed at least eight building phases and evidence of cacao cultivation dating to 5,500-5,350 years ago, predating Mexican use by some 1,500 years. A human burial was found beneath the spiral's center, likely a priest or healer.