Caral or Caral-Supe is an ancient city located in the Supe Valley, near the coast of Peru. The area is i total 626 hectares. It is considered to be one of the oldest and most important ancient civilizations in the Americas, with a history that dates back to around 2600 BC. The Caral civilization was a complex society that developed a system of government, religion, and social organization, as well as advances in agriculture, architecture, and the arts. The people of Caral are believed to have built large pyramid-like structures called “huacas” and created sophisticated systems of irrigation to support their agriculture. The civilization declined around 2000 BC, and the site was eventually abandoned, but it has since been excavated and studied by archaeologists who have learned much about the people who lived there.
The site is exceptionally well-preserved. It is impressive in terms of its design and the complexity of its architectural, especially its monumental stone and earthen platform mounts and sunken circular courts. Caral Supe is the largest of 18 urban settlements situated in the same area. It features complex and monumental architecture, including six large pyramidal structures.
The site of Caral Supe is on the World heritage list of UNESCO.
