Overview:

Caral-Supe is an archaeological site in Supe Valley, near the city of Supe, Barranca Province, in the Lima Region of Peru. It is about 250 km north of Lima and is one of the most important sites of the Norte Chico civilization. Caral-Supe is the largest and most complex of all the Norte Chico sites and by far the oldest urban center in America. Caral-Supe is divided into several zones, with ceremonial centers, habitation areas and evidence of agriculture and craft production. The site may have been as much as 150 hectares in size and was home to a city-like society of 30,000 people that lived in the area from 3000 to 1800 BC. The ruins of Caral-Supe were first identified in 1948 and have since been the subject of several archaeological excavations and studies. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Peru
Prominent Features:

1. The oldest civilization in the Americas: Caral-Supe is regarded as the earliest civilization in the Americas, with ruins dating back to approximately 2600 BC. 2. Pyramids: The complex is known for its large pyramids which are made of adobe brick, much like the earliest structures in Egypt. 3. National Archaeological Park: It is the first National Archaeological Park in Peru and one of the most important archaeological sites in South America. 4. Caral's Sacred City: The ruins are also known as the Sacred City of Caral and are made up of several temples, plazas, and residential structures. 5. Caral-Supe Archaeological Museum: Located on the site, this museum is home to artifacts discovered during the excavations of the ruins. It also houses interactive displays and educational videos related to the Caral-Supe period. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Peru.

History:

Caral-Supe is an archaeological site located in the Supe Valley of Peru’s central coast. The site was first recorded in literature by Max Uhle in 1904, though it wasn’t until years later in 1948 that Julio C. Tello began the first excavations at the site. The site has since been particularly significant in the history of Peru not only due to its age, but also because Caral-Supe is thought to be one of the earliest civilizations in the Americas. Caral-Supe appears to have been occupied mainly between 2600 and 2000 BC, making it approximately 5,000 years old at the time of its peak. This makes it part of a group of ancient communities known as Norte Chico (Small North), that grew along the Pacific Coast of present-day Peru. Caral-Supe was discovered to have had monumental architecture, consisting of several large plazas, a major temple complex, and several residential areas. Caral-Supe is also a unique site as it is home to one of the oldest known musical instruments in the world. This instrument, which dates back to between 2000 and 3000 BC, is a shell trumpet known as a “pututu”, which was likely used primarily in religious rituals. Additionally, the site has also revealed important artifacts that have given scholars insight into the spiritual and religious beliefs and practices of this ancient society. Overall, Caral-Supe is an incredibly important archaeological site in Peru. Through excavations and research done at the site over the years, scholars have been able to learn about the life and beliefs of one of the earliest civilizations in the region. Visit one of the famous monuments of Peru with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. Caral-Supe is the oldest known civilization in the Americas, believed to have been inhabited as early as 2600BC. 2. Caral-Supe, located about 200 kilometers north of Lima, is the most ancient pyramid complex in the Americas. It was built by the Norte Chico people who were skilled in both agriculture and fishing. 3. Excavations of the site have revealed a complex set of pyramids, plazas and sunken courtyards, cobblestone roads and gardens. 4. Caral-Supe is said to be the oldest city in the Americas, and possibly the oldest in the world. It is believed to be contemporary to the first cities in Mesopotamia. 5. Radiocarbon analysis has placed the age of the site at as early as 2600—2000 BCE, making it one of the most ancient cities yet discovered in the Americas. 6. The residents of Caral-Supe are believed to have been some of the earliest civilizations to have developed in the New World. They built numerous structures which included the grand pyramid of Huaca Sangra which is believed to have been constructed approximately 5,000 years ago. 7. Caral-Supe is the only pre-Hispanic site built by a maritime civilization. The Norte Chico people built sea ports and large-scale masonry waves, such as the one near the plaza of Maese. 8. Caral-Supe is one of the few sites on Earth where archaeologists have unearthed evidence of a complex musical culture, represented in questions and flutes of different sizes and shapes. These artifacts have been included at the National Archaeological Museum of Peru. One of the historical monuments of Peru, it tells the story of a bygone era