Caral

Quick Facts: Who was Caral?

Subject:

Caral

Known for:

Ancient Peruvian metropolis, considered one of the oldest urban centers in the Americas.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Sacred City of Caral-Supe, or simply Caral, is an archaeological site in Peru where the remains of the main city of the Caral civilization are found. It is located in the Supe District of Peru, near the current town of Caral, 182 kilometres (113 mi) north of Lima, 23 kilometres (14 mi) from the coast and 350 meters above sea level. It is attributed an antiquity of 5,000 years and it is considered the oldest city in the Americas and one of the oldest in the world. No other site has been found with such a diversity of monumental buildings or different ceremonial and administrative functions in the Americas as early as Caral. It has been declared a Humanity Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

The Caral culture developed between 3000 and 1800 BC (Late Archaic and Lower Formative periods). In America, it is the oldest of the pre-Hispanic civilizations, developing 1,500 years earlier than the Olmec civilization, the first Mesoamerican complex society. Closely related to the city of Caral was an early fishing city, Áspero or El Áspero, located on the coast near the mouth of the Supe River. There, remains of human sacrifices (two children and a newborn) have been found. In 2016, the remains were found of a woman, who presumably was one of the local elite around 2500 BC.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Caral was inhabited from around 2600 BC to 2000 BC, and the site includes an area of more than 60 hectares (150 acres). Caral has been described by its excavators as the oldest urban center in the Americas. This claim has been challenged by the discovery of other ancient sites nearby, such as Bandurria, Peru. Accommodating more than 3,000 inhabitants, Caral is the best studied and one of the largest sites known of the Norte Chico civilization. The city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1800: 1800 Milestone — The Caral culture developed between 3000 and 1800 BC (Late Archaic and Lower Formative periods).
2. 2000: 2000 Milestone — Caral was inhabited from around 2600 BC to 2000 BC, and the site includes an area of more than 60 hectares (150 acres).
3. 2009: 2009 Milestone — The city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009.
4. 2016: 2016 Milestone — In 2016, the remains were found of a woman, who presumably was one of the local elite around 2500 BC.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Caral

True or False: “The earliest evidence of human sacrifice at Caral dates to around 3000 BC, predating many other known complex societies.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): This early finding suggests sophisticated ritual practices were present in the Andean region much earlier than previously assumed.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Caral