LIMA, Peru — Real estate developers using heavy machinery tore down a 20-foot tall pyramid at the oldest archaeological site near Peru’s country’s capital, cultural officials said Wednesday.

Rafael Varon, deputy minister of cultural patrimony, told reporters the destruction occurred over the weekend at the ruins of El Paraiso, a few kilometres north of Lima.

He said Wednesday his agency has lodged criminal complaints against the two companies for the weekend’s damage, identified as the Alisol and Provelanz, and has moved to seize the equipment used. People who answered the telephone at both companies said no one was available to comment