Japanese researchers discover remains of what appears to be 4,800-year-old temple in Peru

Japanese researchers said they have discovered--with the unintended help of looters--what appears to be a temple ruins at least 4,800 years old that could be one of the oldest in the Americas.

The temple is believed to have been built before or around 2600 BC when Peru's oldest known city, Caral, was created, the researchers said.

The ruins were found in the ruins of Shicras located in the Chancay Valley about 100 kilometers north of Lima. The team started full-scale excavation work on Monday.