Archaeologists report the discovery of freeze-dried potatoes dating to the Inca Empire at the Tambo Viejo site in Peru’s Acarí Valley. According to the reports, the potatoes are preserved in a “freeze-dried” state and are estimated to be about 500 years old, placing them centuries before the United States was founded. The find is described as being in “excellent” condition, indicating that the preserved food has retained much of its physical integrity despite its age. Researchers say the discovery adds to evidence of long-standing food-processing and preservation practices used in the region, including methods that help store crops for extended periods. The sources agree on the location, the approximate age of the potatoes, the Inca-era context, and the strong state of preservation. No additional details on the excavation size, number of potatoes, or specific preservation techniques are provided in the two reports.