Written by:
peru.travel
Tuesday, June 8, 2021
In this Page
One of the oldest civilizations in the world developed in what is now the Supe Valley, in Barranca, a few hours from Lima, between 3000 and 1800 BC. This is Caral, a city that -despite being completely isolated- was ahead of its time, implementing irrigation canals, managing the ecosystem and founding its economy on commercial exchange.
And now, with just one click, you can visit this city, and fully explore all the discoveries of this society that originated almost simultaneously with those of the ancient world: Mesopotamia, Egypt, India and China, which is why it is considered the oldest in America.
A real challenge
The entrance to the virtual museum, which has 10 thematic rooms, evokes a spiral path that symbolizes a journey through time to the origins of civilization, knowledge and ancestral wisdom. In addition, you can find infographics, photos, illustrations, recreations, videos, audios and dioramas.
According to Yoshio Cano, the architect in charge of the Museography of Caral, it was a challenge to update and adapt the material in the traveling exhibitions as they led to different places. For this reason, they began to use audiovisual tools to provide the required information.
“(The museum) is a complement to the on-site visit to the Sacred City. At the site you can appreciate the monumentality of Caral, but in the Virtual Museum you have an aerial view and 3D reconstructions of how this city would have been,” stated Cano.
About Caral
This society was established more than 5000 years ago, becoming, until now, the oldest city in America. In contrast to the cultures appearing at that time, Caral remained isolated, but that did not prevent it from achieving an exceptional development, being at least 1800 years ahead of the other civilizations that inhabited Mesoamerica.
To get to Caral, located more than 150 km north of Lima, you must first go to the village of Supe, in Barranca. Once there, take a taxi that will take you to the small town of Caral. The approximate cost is 40 soles.
If you choose to take a bus, it will drop you off at the pedestrian entrance to the archaeological site, from where a marked walking route begins. The approximate walking time is 20 minutes. The approximate cost of the ticket is 4 soles.
Once in the site, you will appreciate the 19 settlements distributed along the 40 km, in the coastline, low and medium sections in the Supe valley. Pyramidal public buildings with sunken circular plazas as well as residential units are found in each settlement.
Interesting fact
In 2009, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared Caral a Cultural Heritage of Humanity. All this thanks to its impressive architecture, antiquity and urban extension.
Sources: Zona Caral / Ministry of Culture / El Peruano
Follow us on social media
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube
