500-Year-Old Potatoes Found Intact In Peru
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Archeologists in South America have discovered two remarkably intact 500-year-old potatoes. The rare find was revealed in a study published in the Journal of Field Archaeology on May 1, 2026. It shows how the Inca Empire was able to provide food to communities far from where crops were grown.
Dr. Lidio Valdez and his team made the discovery in 2024 while excavating Tambo Viejo, an ancient Inca site in southern Peru. The archeologists were clearing a small storage room when they uncovered a broken clay pot buried beneath the dirt floor. Inside were two freeze-dried potatoes dating back to the late 15th or early 16th century.
Potatoes were a staple food for Andean communities for thousands of years. But they contain about 80 percent water. This made them heavy to carry and quick to rot, especially in warm areas. To solve this, farmers took advantage of the extreme climate in the Andes mountains.
During winter nights, they left harvested potatoes outside on the ground to freeze. During the day, the warmth of the sun thawed them. Workers then trampled the softened potatoes to squeeze out water. This cycle was repeated over several days to remove most of the water. The resulting lightweight potatoes were easy to transport and could be stored for years without rotting.
Known as chuño, these preserved potatoes became an important food source for the Inca Empire. At its height, the empire stretched from the cold Andes Mountains to the hot deserts along the Pacific coast. The lightweight food helped feed soldiers, workers, and communities during times of drought and food shortages.
In their study, the researchers note that chuño could only be made at high altitudes. Because Tambo Viejo is on the coast, the team believes the potatoes were brought there from the Andes, likely by llama caravans.
For Dr. Valdez, the potatoes offer more than just a glimpse into history. They provide a lesson in food security and reducing waste.
"We still have so much to learn from the people of the past," he said. "Food security is a main concern, even in our times; yet we waste food, perhaps more than at any time in human history."
Resources: ZMEscience.com, Phys.com, Livescience.com
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37 Comments
- gukokobakodo3 daysIt looks horrendous
nunijojovudi7 dayswho wants a 500 year old potato
lore_acuratekid11 dayswow im suprised it doesent look worse.- gemuwalohafa17 daysthat is prob smelly
ilovethenewssss18 daysDang a 500 old potato l wouldn’t think it existed
gorycapizuzi21 daysHow is there no odor and mold? If there's mold I can't see, but how? That should be kept in a museum or box. That must be stinky!- cykuzybamevy22 daysThats so cool. Im in shcool rn
gdawg2322 daysits cool I guess
fortnitegamer1314 daysI guess these are AWESOME!
puka723 daysthem potatoes be looking mighty fine
claracarrotcake18 daysI don't think you should eat those bro
jesus_is_king28 daysHonestly, the thought of eating potatoes that someone stepped on with their bare feet is kind disgusting😅 but I guess if your trying to servive, you gotta do what you gotta do!
