Introduction
The Civilization of Caral-Supe is one of the oldest in the Americas, forming alongside many others around the world such as Sumeria in Mesopotamia (5700 BCE) or Crete in Europe (3000 BCE). However, Caral develops independently without interacting with other civilizations, that is, in isolation 5,000 years ago (Shady, 2006, p. 5).
It is located in a megadiverse territory where climate change and natural disasters such as earthquakes or torrential rains require organized and planned work by the society that inhabits it.
In the Supe Valley, the economy is structured around trade, which promoted job specialization and the development of a social system with wealth accumulation.
The societies in the Supe Valley (fig. 1) live in urban nuclei of different extent and complexity, which distributes them into several sections along the valley. In each one they build residential buildings and public facilities. Some settlements have monumental buildings of large dimensions, such as the area of Caral (capital of the region), which congregates eight of the populated centers because it is the most complex city of the time, more planned and with a greater number of monumental buildings (Tavera Vega, s.f).
The area where the civilization is established changes over time both in technological terms and in subsistence activities (fig. 2), until reaching cultivation, domestication, and fishing activity, providing interregional exchanges.
The interregional relationships are in the same "tension" as the city of Caral, that is, they consist of architectural components similar to those found in the city such as public buildings for offerings and a sunken circular plaza for ceremonies – making it possible to link various settlements: Culebras, Los Gavilanes (Huarmey Valley), El Paraíso (Chillón Valley), Huaricoto, Kotosh... Then, societies settled along the coast, valleys, sierra, and Andean jungle interacted with each other to enhance economic, social, cultural aspects and benefit from one another (Shady, R., 2006, pp. 6-7).
Distribution of the Sacred City of Caral.
The sacred city of Caral would have a total extension of 66 hectares, in which there are about 32 public buildings and various residential complexes. Two spaces can be distinguished (fig.3): Upper Caral in the northern zone and Lower Caral in the southern zone (Shady, 2006, p. 14).
Each of the constructions of the buildings is related to the calendar and the stellar position, represented by a deity; therefore, religious or ceremonial activities performed were defined in relation to the calendar (Shady, 2006, p. 14).
In Upper Caral (northern zone), we observe the residential sector of the peripheral area where houses are grouped into a kind of "islands" that adapt to the topographic terrain. The houses are small in size and various activities of daily life take place there. According to location and characteristics, they probably belong to a lower social group dedicated to agriculture. Furthermore, it is subdivided again into three subgroups called A, B, and C (Shady, 2006, pp. 14-15).
Sector A has the "Central Pyramid," oriented towards the sunrise and considered the highest pyramidical structure in the city that consists of a series of platforms. The "Quarry Pyramid" (fig.4) belongs to the Early Period, it is built on natural rock and faces the main pyramid. This architectural complex is related to a residential area where houses consist of adobe walls and stone walls, both painted. It is considered that this was occupied by high officials (Shady, 2006, pp. 15-16).
On the other hand, in sector B are located the "Main Pyramid," the main public building of Caral city and the largest complex oriented towards the south and related to a circular plaza. Also appear remains of the "Minor Pyramid," which is located eastward and relates to a residential area composed by two pyramidical structures used for social and ceremonial activities (Shady, 2006, pp. 16-17).
Similarly, in sector C appears the "Gallery Pyramid," located in the most eastern part of the city. As evidenced by the material remains found there, its size and extent had great importance. The "Huanca Pyramid" (fig. 6) is the building situated in the southeast zone of the city with a facade oriented towards the Gallery Pyramid. This has a square plan and is associated with a residential complex for families of high status, related to the functioning of this pyramid. Most of its findings are related to ceremonies. Also located there is a Plaza in the upper half of the city with various holes along its extension for placing shops and producing economic, political, and production activities. We highlight the Major Residential Complex, constituted for a population of lower rank in the social system (Shady, 2006, pp. 17-18).
In turn, it is in Lower Caral where smaller buildings are aligned from east to west. First of all, the "Amphitheater Temple" (fig.7) is a walled complex with a sunken circular plaza, underground ventilation and platform with small enclosures. There 32 transverse flutes and 38 horns were found, musical instruments that we will discuss in future articles. According to the dimensions of the ceremonial enclosure, it would be the main building for ceremonial acts. The "Banquet Temple" is a small-sized building related to the "Amphitheater Temple," while the "Circular Altar Temple" consists of an altar and various ventilation ducts. It has a "Minor Residential Complex," where houses are much smaller than those seen in the Upper Caral zone, so it is a smaller group with lower status. In the easternmost part lies the known as "Specialized Artisan Workshop," formed by three rectangular enclosures where materials such as rock crystals, spondylus, clay, stone or bone tools are found, thus recognized as a production area for ostentatious items (Shady, 2006, pp. 18-21).
Bibliography
Tavera Vega, L. (s.f) Caral. The City of the Pyramids. Arqueología del Perú. Available at: https://www.arqueologiadelperu.com.ar/caral_a.htm#:~:text=En%20el%20sector%20alto%20se,habitaron%20los%20pobladores%20de%20Caral [December 21, 2022].
Shady Solís, R. (2006). Caral-Supe: The Oldest Civilization in the Americas. Available at: http://www.zonacaral.gob.pe/downloads/publicaciones/libro-caral-supe-la-civilizacion-2008.pdf [November 26, 2022]
Zona Caral (s.f). Unit Executor 003 - Archaeological Zone of Caral. Available at: https://www.gob.pe/caral [December 17, 2022].
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