Ancient Peru

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It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Cultural periods of Peru. (Discuss) Proposed since November 2009.

Peruvian territory was inhabited 14,000 years ago by hunters and gatherers. Subsequent developments include the appearance of sedentary communities that developed agriculture and irrigation, and the emergence of complex socio-political hierarchies that created sophisticated civilizations, technology and monumental construction.

Andean cultural formations

• According to some, lithics found in the caves of Piquimachay (Ayacucho), Chivateros, Lauricocha, Paijan, and Toquepala provide the evidence for the date.^{[citation needed]}
• The oldest securely dated remains appear in 10000 BCE in the Guitarrero Cave, Yungay, then in the coast (in the districts of Chilca and Paracas) and in the highlands (in the Callejón de Huaylas).
• 3000 years later (7000 BCE), people became sedentary (Jiskairumoko, Kotosh, Huaca Prieta) so they began to cultivate plants such as gourds and cotton (Gossypium barbadense). These early crops were mainly industrious, and were used in fishing. The cotton was used to make nets and lines, while the gourds were used as floats. Larger, more complex societies formed around 3000 BCE, and this is now known as the Cotton Preceramic Period. These early societies focused on the gathering of marine resources and did not rely on maize, as later civilizations did. Subsequent technical developments include innovations in spinning and knitting of cotton and wool. There is also evidence for some basketry, and metalwork (gold beads) during this period. Pottery developed in the Amazon Basin and spread to the Andean culture region around 4000 years ago. The period that ensued is now called the Initial or Ceramic. Maize was adopted as a staple crop, creating population growth because of its high carrying capacity. The population distribution moved from the coasts to river valleys because of the growing importance of farming.
• Zaña Valley, northern Peru, irrigation canals have been dated to 5400 and 6700 years ago (3400 BCE and 5700 BCE) and show communal work.^[1][2]
• Norte Chico civilization (Also known as the Caral-Supe civilization, nearly from 3,500 BCE to 1,800 BCE)"^[3]
• Buena Vista, Peru, 4200-year-old observatory, Lima Region (2200 BCE)
• Ventarrón, 4000-year-old temple, Lambayeque Region, northern Peru (2000 BCE)
• Chavin (900 BCE to 200 BCE)
• Paracas
• Moche
• Nazca
• Tiahuanaco
• Wari
• Chimu

These cultures developed advanced techniques of cultivation, gold and silver work, pottery, metallurgy and weaving. Some of the social structures that later (around the 12th century CE) formed the base of the Inca Empire may be traced back to these previous periods.

Gallery

• 

  The Stele from the Chavin Culture, Ancash, Peru

• 

  Moche pottery, Lambayeque, Peru

• 

  The Tiahuanaco Gate of the Sun, Bolivia

• 

  Polychrome, fish-shaped, nazca double spout and bridge vessel, Ica, Peru

• 

  An Andean bronze bottle made by Chimú artisans from circa 1300 A.D.

Ancient Cultures in Peruvian History Time Line

References

1. ^ Heather Whipps, "Peruvian Canals Most Ancient in New World", LiveScience, 23 Dec 2005, accessed 3 Nov 2010
2. ^ JOHN NOBLE WILFORD, "Evidence Found for Canals That Watered Ancient Peru", New York Times, 3 Jan 2006, accessed 1 Nov 2010
3. ^ Mann, C, C., ed. (2005). 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus. University of Texas. ISBN 1-4000-3205-9. 

See also

• Cultural periods of Peru
• Inca empire
• Amazonas before the Inca Empire

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