The Egyptians weren’t the first to build Pyramids. An ancient civilization in America, more precisely Peru, built stunning pyramids 500 years before the Ancient Egyptians. This ancient culture is considered as the oldest ‘developed’ civilization in America, and it predates by up to 1,500 years, other advanced cultures in America like the Olmec civilization in Mexico.
Over 5,000 years ago, an ancient civilization in Peru created incredible Pyramids equally stunning when compared to the Pyramids erected by the ancient Egyptians. The Pyramids of Peru are believed to predate the Pyramids of the Giza plateau by at least 500 years.
Caral is an archaeological site where we find the remains of the main city of the ancient civilization of Caral.
Located in the valley of Supe, 182 kilometers north of Lima (Peru), 23 km from the coast and 350 meters above sea level, this ancient civilization existed in the region more than 5,000 years ago and is considered the oldest city in America.
So far, nowhere in America have archaeologists discovered the remains of a city with temples, monuments, and Pyramids with such a vast diversity.
The ancient city of Caral has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
The ancient civilization of Caral is contemporary with other ancient civilizations such as those of Egypt, India, Sumeria, China, but unlike them (which participated at least partially with the external world), Caral was developed in complete isolation.
In America, it is the oldest of the pre-Hispanic civilizations, surpassing by 1,500 years the Olmec civilization, another important civilization located in Mesoamerica.
The age of the civilization of Caral was confirmed through 146 radiocarbon dating tests performed by laboratories from the United States. According to these, Caral is approximately 5,000 years old, meaning that it developed more than 1,500 thousand years before any other major culture in America.
The Pyramids of Caral are another reason why this culture is more than extraordinary.
We find Pyramids of various sizes at Caral.
There are 7 large pyramids in Caral surrounded by several smaller ones, adding up to 32 structures in total.
Its builders organized the city in 2 sectors: one to the north and another one to the south.
An old dry cause divides both sides.
In the upper sector, there are 6 main pyramids surrounding an empty space.
In the lower sector the Pyramid of the Amphitheater and several minor buildings aligned with it stands out.
Each of the Pyramids of Carl served different functions, each fulfilling a different role in the social and religious order of its inhabitants.
The Pyramids of Caral:
The Main Pyramid or ‘Piramide Mayor’ is 153.52 meters in length, 109.42 meters wide, and has a height of 28 meters. It consists of a stepped pyramid and a circular square attached to its façade. A long staircase 9 meters wide ascends 28 meters in height.
The so-called ‘Piramide de la Cantera’ has 78 meters in length, a width of 56 meters and a height of 13.40 meters.
The Lower Pyramid or ‘Piramide Menor’ has a length of 45.80 meters, a width of 37 meters and a height of 7.50 meters.
Caral also features the so-called ‘Piramide de la Galeria’ which is 110 meters in length, it has a width of 80 meters and a height of 17 meters.
The Pyramid of Huanaca has a length and width of 55 meters, and a height of 12 meters.
The Amphitheater Pyramid of Caral is the largest one with a length of 155 meters. IT is 81 meters wide and has a height of 11 meters.
The smallest of the Pyramids at Caral is the Pyramid of the circular altar which is 42.60 metes in length, it has a width of 28 meters, and a height of only 4 meters.
In addition to the fact that Caral is one of the oldest ancient civilizations in America, and features some of the oldest Pyramids on Earth, their culture is equally stunning because of their technological development.
Caral was one of the most advanced ancient cultures on Earth, 5,000 years ago.
As noted by andina.com.pe:
“As for energy exploitation and fluid mechanics, Caral took advantage of the wind, now known as the Venturi Effect, by channeling it through underground ducts in order to achieve high temperatures through bonfires.”
“As for pharmacology, we found that Caral inhabitants used willow —containing the *active chemical ingredient in aspirin*— to relieve pain such as headaches.”
Website andina.com.pe further notes:
“Another highlight was the civil engineering, which continues to amaze since scientists applied the seismic resistance technology to the over-5000-year-old constructions.”
One of the most important things worth mentioning about Caral is that no weapons, mutilated bodies or any signs of warfare are present on the site. This according to scholars, points to the fact that Caral was a diplomatic and highly developed culture.
