CARAL CULTURE

 

• In the archaeological chronology, the Caral civilization corresponds to the so-called Late Archaic (formerly Late Preceramic), reaching the Lower Formative, approximately from 3000 to 1800 BC. 

• That age has been confirmed through multiple radiocarbon dating in the United States. 

• The finding of Caral changed the schemes that we had on the emergence of ancient civilizations in Peru and America in general.

• Previously, Chavín de Huántar was considered the oldest cultural center in Peru, with a maximum of 3200 years old (1200 BC)

• It occupies an area of ​​approximately 66 hectares. It has also been called a sacred city, since everything that has been excavated in the city is impregnated with religiosity.

• There are many hearths for offerings, as well as signs of possible rituals in each place, not only in the public space areas or in the temples but even in the dwellings.

• In the stoves food or other objects would be burned as offerings, all of which indicates that for the first time Peruvian societies had a central government, where religion was used as a mean of affirmation.

• You can find in the complex many Pyramidal constructions of different sizes.

• The walls of the pyramidal structure were plastered with mud and painted white or light yellow, and occasionally red.

• A central staircase led to the upper part, where several rooms were located.

• In the main room there were low platforms located on two or three of their sides, and in the center, a hearth composed of a hole in the ground, covered with mud.

• Remains of ceramics, textiles, music, accounting system (quipus) and astrological knowledge.

• As a result of the investigations of the archaeological remains, it was concluded that Caral was the economic capital of a large region thanks to his agricultural work, whose products he exchanged with the fishermen of the coast or other populations.

• This is understood when verifying the abundance of marine product remains in Caral, being it about 20 km away from the nearest coast.

• The regional domination enforced by Caral, according to the studies, was exercised in a completely peaceful manner during a period that could be from 500 to 1000 years, during which Caral left no remains of weapons manufacture, testimonies or evidence of an organized army or war.

• This possibility has surprised researchers from various fields who were interested in Caral.

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