Obscene graffiti at Chan Chan sparks national outrage in Peru
Obscene graffiti has appeared on the walls of Chan Chan, a Peruvian city listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The vandal left a mark by spraying... male genitalia. A video of the incident went viral on social media.
Chan Chan was the largest city in pre-Columbian South America. It was founded around 850 AD and was once the capital of the Chimú kingdom until it was conquered by the Incas. At that time, Chan Chan might have been home to approximately 30,000 Chimú people.
The site, where history meets the present, is visited by numerous tourists. Unfortunately, not all come with good intentions.
Lately, there has been obscene graffiti, which has outraged Peruvians. As reported by the BBC, the vandal spray-painted... male genitalia. He was unfortunate, as witnesses documented his "artwork," and the footage went viral on social media. Despite this, the vandal has not yet been apprehended.
Vandal destroyed the walls of the pre-Columbian city
This incident has sparked outrage. The Ministry of Culture of Peru stated that the perpetrator showed a "serious lack of respect for history and cultural heritage," and also "broke the laws protecting archaeological heritage."
Some Peruvians express disappointment, emphasising that such a place should be better protected.
The perpetrator could face up to six years in prison if caught - notes the BBC.
Chan Chan remains one of the most important archaeological sites in Peru.
According to UNESCO, it is the largest city in pre-Columbian America, sprawling over several miles and divided by thick walls into several "citadels."
