Peruvian History
Keeps Changing
By Ray Remington Jr.
Over the past ten years discoveries of important archeological sites have fundamentally changed our view of the early history of Peru. These changes involve the position of women in pre-inca society, the earliest known urban development in the Americas and a re-evaluation of the Nazca lines and glyphs.
Women in Society
We now know that women held important leadership positions in the politico/religious organizations of pre-inca society because of the discovery of the Senora de Cao in an area north of Trujillo. Previously in the Moche culture there had been evidence that women played a minor role in the governance of the society. With the discovery of the burial tomb of the Senora de Cao, we have learned that more than 1700 years ago a woman held an important leadership position. We know that because of the artifacts in the tomb, the location of the tomb within the temple, and the costume of the Senora.
Early Urban Developments
Another major discovery is the city of Caral, located north of Lima and 26 kilometers from the coast. The research of Ruth Shady, archeologist, has refuted the idea that the founding civilization in Peru was the Chavin. Instead, from the work at Caral, we now know that a related civilization existed at the Caral site some 1800 years earlier. This makes Caral the earliest known urban civilization in the Americas. It was developing at a time parallel with the Egyptian civilization. Radiocarbon dating shows urban human activity in Caral around 3000 BC.
Nazca Lines
Finally, discoveries in the south of Peru have uncovered the lines of Palpa, dated earlier than those at Nazca, and providing some clues to the origin and significance of the lines of Nazca. Located some 40 kilometers south of Nazca, Palpa has been the focus of intense studies by archeologists Jhony Isla and Markus Reindel. After five years study they have concluded that the lines and glyphs were developed as a part of ceremonies related to the worship of water and fertility. They have found ample evidence of animal remains that indicate ritual ceremonies. From the evidence, they have determined that the area was occupied by a stable population living in villages.
Clearly Peru has some of the most interesting archeological sites in the world. This is reflected in the intense activity in this field. From 2002 to 2005, 27,167 archeological sites have been registered. Ninety major sites are being worked. Five sites have now been declared sites of world human patrimony. Peruvians are active in all aspects of these investigations, and currently 60% of the funding is coming from other countries.
Clearly, there is much more to be learned about the fascinating history of Peru.
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