Despite the lack of romantic comedies and summer action movies, ancient Peruvians are thought to have eaten popcorn over 6 thousand years ago.

Last week, a new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences pointed to evidence that suggested that Peruvians were eating popcorn over 6,700 years ago – about 1 thousand years more than was previously thought.

The ancient corncobs, husks, stalks and tassels were found at Paredones and Huaca Prieta, in Peru's arid northern coast.

On Thursday Dr. Alexander Grobman spoke about the findings, and what they meant to the scientific community.

293 macrofossils were found by Duccio Bonavia, from Peru’s Academy of National History, and Tom Dillehay from Vanderbilt University, who carried out the study between 2007 and 2011.

The maize macrofossils found are thought be the oldest in the world - surpassing those found in Mexico, which are about 6,200 years old.

Grobman, who was in charge of studying the microfossils, said he had indentified three different racial types of maize, among the remains: Proto-Confite Morocho, Confite Chavinense and Proto-Kculi – all of which had previously been identified as precursors to the maize that evolved in Peru.

Grobman – Emeritus Professor at the Universidad Nacional Agraria de la Molina -said one of the major findings was that Peruvian maize showed no signs of the teosinte species, unlike maize of a similar age found in Mexico.

The maize, Grobman said, had high levels of purple cob, which indicate an adaptation to colder climates.

These findings confirm earlier studies that suggested Peru’s coastal maize had originally evolved in the country’s highland area.

Grobman said the findings were being edited into a book, which will be published in the UK.

Grobman said Peru currently produced half a million hectares of corn a year, twice the size of potato crops.

“Peru should be known not just for its potato diversity but also for its corn,” he said.