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Questions and Answers
What distinguishes the Norte Chico civilization from other ancient civilizations?
What distinguishes the Norte Chico civilization from other ancient civilizations?
Which characteristic of the Norte Chico civilization indicates a sophisticated political organization?
Which characteristic of the Norte Chico civilization indicates a sophisticated political organization?
What type of worship may have been present in the Norte Chico civilization, based on archaeological evidence?
What type of worship may have been present in the Norte Chico civilization, based on archaeological evidence?
During which time period did the Norte Chico civilization flourish?
During which time period did the Norte Chico civilization flourish?
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What was one major achievement of the Norte Chico civilization?
What was one major achievement of the Norte Chico civilization?
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What geographical feature significantly contributed to the emergence of the Norte Chico civilization?
What geographical feature significantly contributed to the emergence of the Norte Chico civilization?
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What period is suggested as the beginning date of the Norte Chico formative period?
What period is suggested as the beginning date of the Norte Chico formative period?
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Which food source was a significant part of the diet in the Norte Chico civilization, particularly from coastal areas?
Which food source was a significant part of the diet in the Norte Chico civilization, particularly from coastal areas?
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Why did the Norte Chico civilization begin to decline around 1800 B.C.E.?
Why did the Norte Chico civilization begin to decline around 1800 B.C.E.?
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In what way did the discovery of Norte Chico impact the understanding of early Peruvian civilizations?
In what way did the discovery of Norte Chico impact the understanding of early Peruvian civilizations?
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Flashcards
Norte Chico Civilization
Norte Chico Civilization
An early civilization located in coastal Peru, known for its large-scale irrigation systems and complex social organization.
Irrigation Systems
Irrigation Systems
Complex networks of canals and water management crucial to agriculture in Norte Chico.
Maritime Food Resources
Maritime Food Resources
Seafood (like anchovies and shellfish), an important part of Norte Chico's diet, especially at coastal sites.
Caral Site
Caral Site
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Early Andean Civilization
Early Andean Civilization
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Pre-Columbian
Pre-Columbian
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Monumental Architecture
Monumental Architecture
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Complex Society
Complex Society
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Peaceful Society
Peaceful Society
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Study Notes
Norte Chico Civilization
- Norte Chico, also known as Caral or Caral-Supe, was a complex Pre-Columbian society in north-central coastal Peru.
- It flourished from the 30th century BCE to the 18th century BCE, making it the oldest known civilization in the Americas.
- The civilization encompassed up to 30 major population centers, primarily in the Supe Valley.
- Norte Chico emerged approximately a millennium after Sumer and was contemporary with the Egyptian pyramids.
Key Characteristics
- The Norte Chico civilization lacked ceramics and had limited archaeological evidence of art, being a Preceramic culture.
- Notable achievements included monumental architecture, such as large platform mounds and sunken circular plazas.
- Textile technology and likely worship of common god symbols were present, reflecting features of later Andean cultures.
- Complex social organization and likely sophisticated government were necessary to manage the ancient civilization.
- Evidence suggests a communal focus, with no apparent evidence of warfare nor organized defense.
Emergence and Geographic Context
- Ancient sites in the Norte Chico region were discovered as early as the 1940s, and early research focused on Aspero and later, Caral.
- Peruvian archaeologist Ruth Shady Solís provided comprehensive documentation in the late 1990s.
- Publications in Science (2001) and Nature (2004) helped establish the significance of Norte Chico.
- Norte Chico is located in north-central coastal Peru, roughly 150-200 km north of Lima.
- The region comprises four coastal valleys (Huaura, Supe, Pativilca, and Fortaleza).
- The region's aridity and rain shadows are contrasted with substantial rivers and irrigation development.
Development and Timelines
- Radiocarbon dating, largely from Haas et al., confirmed early settlement, possibly as far back as 9210 BCE.
- Large-scale settlement and communal construction became clear by 3200 BCE.
- The beginning of the Norte Chico formative period was likely sometime before 3200 BCE, potentially before 3500 BCE.
- The greatest expansion of Norte Chico took place between 2500 BCE and 2000 BCE, with a shift towards inland settlements, relying on coastal resources.
- The civilization declined around 1800 BCE, replaced by rising centers further south and north along the coast.
Diet and Subsistence
- Confirmed findings for diet include squash, beans, lucuma, guava, pacay, camote, avocado, and achira.
- A significant component was seafood, particularly anchovies and sardines at sites like Caral, but their importance in inland settlements is debatable.
- Michael E. Moseley's "maritime foundation of Andean civilization" hypothesis proposed that maritime resources were the foundation of Norte Chico's rise.
- This hypothesis remains debated, with some researchers arguing for the importance of agriculture in inland settlements.
Social Organization and Government
- Norte Chico chiefdoms were likely theocratic, with potential evidence of feasting and elite mobilization of labor.
- Architectural construction, including large platform mounds, suggests centralized control.
- Haas proposes that the Norte Chico possessed a unique form of early government resembling that of Sumer.
- Economic power likely stemmed from cotton and food production, leading to trade with other communities.
Art, Textiles, and Religion
- Norte Chico, interestingly, lacked apparent visual arts, yet textiles and a possible writing system (aided by Quipu) were apparent.
- A Staff God image has been discovered and found in later Andean cultures.
- Architectural construction may have been closely tied to religious practices.
Research Controversies
- There are significant conflicts in credit, attribution, and theoretical modelling surrounding the discovery and interpretation of Norte Chico.
- This includes disputes between Shady, Haas, and Creamer that involve accusations of plagiarism, differing interpretations of the significance of findings, and research funding/resource inequalities.
- There are ongoing debates relating to credit for the discoveries and theoretical models.
Legacy
The Norte Chico civilization represents one of the earliest organized human societies. Its development provides valuable insights into early societal development patterns, especially concerning the absence of warfare as a driver for establishing larger settlements. Its success is notable for seemingly prioritizing communal needs over conflict.
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Description
Explore the fascinating Norte Chico civilization, known as one of the oldest in the Americas. This quiz covers its emergence, key characteristics, and notable achievements from the 30th century BCE to the 18th century BCE. Delve into its monumental architecture and complex social organization.
