Caral

Caral is the most ancient city in the Americas, quite probably the "mother city" of the ancient Peruvian culture. Finds from this site have been carbon dated to 2600BC, long before the time of the pyramids.

The people of Caral traded with the coast (about 25km away) as well as the high mountains and Amazon jungle on the far side of the Andes.

They had not discovered any metals or ceramics, so were a totally stone age people. However, they built at least seven huge pyramids and a city around them, linked by trade to a huge area. They ate mainly fruits, vegetables and seafood.

Another thing that was unknown to the Caral people was war. Their city lasted a thousand years, but bears no mark of conflict: no weapons beyond a few obviously used for hunting; no fortifications, no walls, no gates, no ramparts.

Before Caral's discovery, archeologists had thought that civilizations started when people came together for reasons of defense. Ancient cities seemed always to be based on war. Caral is a stark counter example: perhaps the only known first city of a civilization, and no evidence of fighting.

This shows that a civilizations can start with a peaceful people dedicated to farmings, trade and religion.

This video shows a panorama taken from what was the main marketplace of Caral. The seven large pyramids can be seen all around.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Caral
• Peru
• ancient
• mother
• city
• archaeology
• archeology
• Machu
• Picchu

[xXxlovexXxtruthxXx]

just what i needed for s.s. class thank you

[ErikitaMA]

I hope they do not decide to put a KFC in front of the pyramid like they did in Egipt. And that's called modernism... iaj!

[ErikitaMA]

Yes WE are the nicest!

[elli782]

Uhhh...h?

[abate11]

Wow Nice city are the locals nice?