Located in the Supe Valley of Peru and dating to 2627 BC, Caral is the earliest civilization in the Americas. Although Caral predates the Incas and Zapotecs, it remains less well known than other archaeological sites like Machu Picchu. Discovered in 1905, Caral was initially considered a curiosity and largely forgotten. But in 1994, Peruvian anthropologist and archaeologist Ruth Shady began comprehensive excavations, bringing light to the full import of Caral.
This book of breathtaking photographs by Christopher Kleihege and illuminating text in English and Spanish by Ruth Shady captures the mystery and beauty of one of the world's oldest cities. Nearly 200 color photographs document Caral's many impressive pyramids, plazas, and other constructions. These photographs portray the intricate layout of this city in the context of the stunning landscape of the Andes. Caral presents a fascinating and dramatic window into the ancient world and will prove essential to anyone curious to the earliest origins of civilization in the Americas.
