Two-decade research reveals new information about Caral civilization

Andina, Peru News Agency ^ | March 22, 2016 | ECG/AVV/RMB

[SunkenCiv]

A book containing new information about Caral, the oldest known civilization in the Americas, has been recently published in Peru.

The book was titled "Centros urbanos de la civilización Caral: 21 años recuperando la historia sobre el sistema social" (Caral Civilization Urban Centers: 21-year recovery of the history of social system).

Such reading material is on sale at different libraries, said Ruth Shady Solis, Director at Caral Archaeological Zone (ZAC), a public entity attached to the Ministry of Culture as Executing Unit 003.

Its eight chapters address excavation, research and conservation works developed by the ZAC multidisciplinary team in nine archaeological sites.

Likewise, the book contains wide information on economic, social, political and ideological aspects on the origin of such civilization, as well as archaeological discoveries.

Founded 5,000 years ago, Caral is the earliest civilization in Peru and the Americas. It was added to UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2009.

The book was edited within the framework of ZAC general purposes.

Some proposed goals include recovering social history through heritage, preserving and spreading its value for the benefit of society, strengthening cultural identity, and improving social self-esteem through the enhancement of intangible culture.

[SunkenCiv]

Photo: ANDINA/Difusión

[SunkenCiv]

[TigersEye]

Impressive! I was expecting the remains of some mud huts or caves with some artifacts and bones in them.

[colorado tanker]

Thanks. Was not aware of this civilization. Must be challenging to figure out a preceramic civilization.

[SunkenCiv]

Yeah, they had it goin' on -- and then, pfft, almost as if they succumbed to some large foreign migration, or a natural climate cycle, or both.

[JimSEA]

The circular room/pit and defensive location reminds me of the Southwestern United States mesa top pueblos and cliff dwellings.

[SunkenCiv]

Definitely. But much older, and much more south.

[BenLurkin]

Temple AND a bull ring.

Like something out of Conan the Barbarian.

[blam]

Early on, I saw these pyramids described as older and larger than those in Egypt.

The Lost Pyramids of Caral

BBC Two 9.00pm Thursday 31 January 2002

Caral dates from 2,600 BC making it one of the earliest known civilisations on Earth The magnificent ancient city of pyramids at Caral in Peru hit the headlines in 2001. The site is a thousand years older than the earliest known civilisation in the Americas and, at 2,627 BC, is as old as the pyramids of Egypt. Many now believe it is the fabled missing link of archaeology - a 'mother city'. If so, then these extraordinary findings could finally answer one of the great questions of archaeology: why did humans become civilised?

[fatez]

I visited Peru last June with my son. We didn't hit Caral (needed one more day, but alas). But we did a bunch of Inca sites and we hit Huaca Huallamarca which is in Lima close to Miraflores. Right there in Lima is a pyramid that is about 2,000 years old. Our hotel was 6 blocks from it.

Peru is one of the coolest places I have ever been. For those that love history, put it on your bucket list.

[SunkenCiv]

Sounds great, Thanks!