Áspero Archaeological Site (Fishing Town of Caral)
Áspero
Late Archaic 3000–2500 BCE·Norte Chico (Caral maritime)·🇵🇪 Lima (Barranca Province), Peru
About
About Áspero Archaeological Site (Fishing Town of Caral)
Coastal fishing port of Caral 18.8 ha with six platform pyramids Huaca Alta 12 m, fish-for-cotton exchange, Lady of Four Brooches burial, 3000–2500 BCE, UNESCO buffer. Recorded context — Period: Late Archaic 3000–2500 BCE; Culture: Norte Chico (Caral maritime); Field status: ongoing; Materials: fieldstone, adobe; Condition: ruins.
Why it mattersArchaeological landmark for Norte Chico (Caral maritime) in Lima (Barranca Province); type-site demonstrating coastal fishing town and regional exchange.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Function and chronology of Áspero Archaeological Site (Fishing Town of Caral) within Late Archaic 3000–2500 BCE
- 02Relationship to neighboring polities
Theories
- 01Norte Chico (Caral maritime) ceremonial center for coastal fishing town
- 02Regional capital controlling trade and tribute network
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.3000–2500 BCE
- Period
- Late Archaic 3000–2500 BCE
- Culture
- Norte Chico (Caral maritime)
- Builders
- Norte Chico
- Purpose
- Coastal fishing town
- Rediscovered
- 1941 Uhle
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c.3000–2500 BCE
Áspero Archaeological Site (Fishing Town of Caral) construction phase
20th century
Modern excavations
On the ground
Structures & features
Gallery