Caral-Supe
Late Archaic (2600 – 2000 BCE)·Caral-Supe (Norte Chico)·🇵🇪 Lima, Peru
Luz Maria Linarez Huacausi · CC BY-SA 4.0
About
About Caral-Supe
Caral-Supe in Lima, Peru is a Late Archaic (2600 – 2000 BCE) ancient city attributed to Caral-Supe (Norte Chico) culture. Sacred City of Caral-Supe UNESCO 2009; 6 major pyramids, Mesita houses, quipu earliest, no ceramics, cotton and anchovy economy, 32 radiocarbon dates. Systematic excavation and published survey document stratified deposits, architectural phasing and georeferenced plans. Built c.2600 BCE; purpose: Oldest city in Americas – monumental urban capital with 6 pyramids and circular plazas. Significance includes multi-phase occupation and landscape setting at 350 m elevation.
Why it mattersSacred City of Caral-Supe UNESCO 2009; 6 major pyramids, Mesita houses, quipu earliest, no ceramics, cotton and anchovy economy, 32 radiocarbon dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing at Caral-Supe
- 02Function and labor organization for ancient-city – ritual vs residential debate
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre model for Caral-Supe (Norte Chico)
- 02Territorial marker / elite residence hypothesis
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.2600 BCE
- Period
- Late Archaic (2600 – 2000 BCE)
- Culture
- Caral-Supe (Norte Chico)
- Builders
- Norte Chico
- Purpose
- Oldest city in Americas – monumental urban capital with 6 pyramids and circular plazas
- Excavation
- Excavated
c.2600 BCE
Initial construction / first occupation
c.500 CE
Major refurbishment / second occupation phase
On the ground
Structures & features
10.8936° S · 77.5203° W · 350 m · 4 mapped features
- Caral-Supe — Principal MonumentpyramidPrincipal Monument at Caral-Supe – pyramid (Late Archaic (2600 – 2000 BCE)) – Sacred City of Caral-Supe UNESCO 2009; 6 major pyramids, Mes10.8926° S · 77.5193° W
- Caral-Supe — Ancillary ComplexpalaceAncillary Complex at Caral-Supe – palace (Late Archaic (2600 – 2000 BCE)) – Sacred City of Caral-Supe UNESCO 2009; 6 major pyramids, Mes10.8948° S · 77.5211° W
- Caral-Supe — Outlier FeaturecausewayOutlier Feature at Caral-Supe – causeway (Late Archaic (2600 – 2000 BCE)) – Sacred City of Caral-Supe UNESCO 2009; 6 major pyramids, Mes10.8916° S · 77.5188° W
- Caral-Supe — Reservoir/CisternhydraulicHydraulic feature at Caral-Supe – reservoir/cistern managing water in Lima10.8956° S · 77.5218° W
Gallery