Mysterious ‘Pyramid’ Rising From the Peruvian Amazon Rainforest Is Believed to Shelter Uncontacted Indigenous Tribes

In the vast green expanse of the Amazon rainforest lies a mysterious hill that has fascinated experts. From the heart of eastern Peru, not far from the Brazilian border, a huge, cone-shaped structure nudges out of the rainforest like a forgotten monument. Locally known as Cerro El Cono, or "Cone Hill," this 1,310-foot-tall (400 meters) peak towers alone in isolation, detached from the surrounding Sierra del Divisor mountain range, stated Live Science.

Its unique pyramid-like structure has puzzled scientists for a very long time. But more than its shape, it’s what might live within and around this mountain that makes El Cono so captivating. According to the lore, Cerro El Cono is speculated to be the home of several unknown indigenous tribes. These indigenous tribes, possibly descendants of ancient Amazonian civilizations, have managed to evade all contact with the outside world. And they are not alone. Jaguars, giant armadillos, and rare species of monkeys thrive and are part of an ecosystem that is being prioritized for conservation since the 1990s. Many may be wondering what exactly is Cerro El Cono. Ample theories are available to contemplate and speculate, stated The Jerusalem Post. 

Some geologists have suggested it may be an extinct volcano, although it has not been confirmed. Others believed it is a rare natural rock formation shaped by erosion over centuries. But among indigenous groups, El Cono is not a geological feature; it is an Apu, a sacred mountain spirit. To explain it in a detailed manner, Apus are divine protectors born from the earth itself as per Andean cosmovision. Still, a more intriguing theory circulates. Could it be an ancient pyramid? The idea has not been proved, but it has still gained traction.

This is not the only mystery hidden in the dark forests of Amazon. Apart from the El Cono mountain, Amazon has been revealing its secrets slowly. Researchers used LiDAR technology and discovered a well-planned city, Upano Valley. It includes thousands of raised platforms, complex roads, and various ceremonial structures. This indicates a civilization that thrived 2,500 years ago. Prof Stephen Rostain, director of investigation at the National Centre for Scientific Research in France, shared that this particular site was older than any other site discovered in Amazon. And this particular discovery prompts experts to revamp their thinking about the mere idea of what culture is, stated the BBC.

What makes the Upano discovery so important is how it dismantles the long-held myth that the Amazon was too hostile to support urban societies. How Cerro El Cono came into existence remains a mystery due to its not-so-accessible location. But the most important question is, if such cities existed in Ecuador, what else could be shrouded in mystery, waiting to be discovered in the dark forests? Moreover, after being labeled a biodiversity conservation priority, it is still not being given the due facilities. More than 20 years later, Peruvians are still waiting, stated The Guardian.