Question

In what ways do recent discoveries at Caral invite reconsideration of Andean civilization and of history of the earliest civilizations generally? What do you find most surprising about Caral?

Answer 1

The archeological rests discovered at Caral (Supe Coastal Region, North-Central Peru) have been dated as the oldest ever found in America, from 5,000 years ago. These pertain to the Norte Chico or Cara-Supe civilization, a complex pre-Columbian society which developed between the fourth and second millenials BC, contemporary to the more widely known civilization in Ancient Egypt. These discoveries have shifted the focus of research from the Andean Regions of Peru to coastal regions.

It is surprising the small worlwide reknown reached by this complex and very ancient society if compared to others such as Egypt.