Defacing history: Viral video shows graffiti at Chan Chan site
Obscene graffiti has appeared on the walls of Chan Chan, a Peruvian city listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The vandal made their mark by spraying... a depiction of male genitalia. A video of the incident went viral on social media.
Chan Chan was the largest city in pre-Columbian South America. Founded around the year 850, it was once the capital of the Chimú kingdom until it was conquered by the Incas. At the time of the invasion, Chan Chan might have been home to approximately 30,000 Chimú people.
This site, where history meets the present, is visited by crowds of tourists. Unfortunately, not all have good intentions.
Recently, obscene graffiti appeared, which has outraged Peruvians. As reported by the BBC, the vandal spray-painted... male genitalia. He was unlucky, 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 situation has sparked outrage. The Ministry of Culture of Peru stated that the perpetrator showed "a grave disrespect toward our history and cultural heritage, as well as a violation of the regulations that protect archaeological heritage sites."
Some Peruvians express disappointment, emphasizing 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."
