Caral-Supe (Norte Chico)

Caral-Supe (Norte Chico) appears on the timeline as a people or culture of Peruvian Coast (South America) from c. 3000 to 1800 BCE, a span of 1,200 years. Its people spoke Unknown or undeciphered languages (Indus, Minoan, Moche, Nazca, Chavin, Jomon and other unattested languages).

The oldest known civilization in the Americas, with over 20 towns in the Supe, Pativilca and Fortaleza valleys. Caral had platform mounds and sunken circular plazas by 2600 BCE, before pottery reached the region.

See Caral-Supe (Norte Chico) on the interactive timeline

Facts

Dates: c. 3000 to 1800 BCE
Duration: 1,200 years
Type: People or culture
Region: Peruvian Coast, South America
Language family: Unknown or undeciphered
Capital: Caral

Events in South America during its time

2600 BCE Caral builds the first cities of the Americas

Elsewhere in the world at the same time

Minoan civilization c. 3100 to 1450 BCE, Europe
Old Kingdom of Egypt c. 2686 to 2181 BCE, North and West Africa
Old Babylonian Empire 1894 to 1595 BCE, Middle East
Akkadian Empire c. 2334 to 2154 BCE, Middle East

Questions

When did Caral-Supe (Norte Chico) exist?

c. 3000 to 1800 BCE, about 1,200 years. These dates are approximate, because the evidence for its beginning or end is uncertain.

Where was Caral-Supe (Norte Chico)?

Peruvian Coast, in South America. Its capital was Caral.

What language did Caral-Supe (Norte Chico) speak?

Unknown or undeciphered. This family includes Indus, Minoan, Moche, Nazca, Chavin, Jomon and other unattested languages.