THE NEWS (“EL COMERCIO”, JUNE 29, 2009) The sacred city of Caral was declared a Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO and with it something that we already knew in the land of the red and white flag was made official, something that made our chests swell with pride:in Peru, brilliantly the oldest civilization in America. Thus, what happened yesterday in the 33rd session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee has not only wavered and sacramented the premise, but also gives the green light for the international institution to spread the good news to all corners of the world. And for this, Ruth Shady, head of the Caral-Supe Special Archaeological Project (PEACS) and head of research in the complex for 15 years, feels happier. “Caral has been preserved for 5 thousand years. Our challenge now is to ensure that it is preserved to benefit the populations of the present and the future," Shady tells "El Comercio" from Spain, without failing to explain that the integration of the sacred city on the UNESCO list implies other advantages. , such as access to World Heritage funds, in case of emergency to prevent or repair damage caused by possible catastrophes; and that the sites inscribed in the remarkable list of monuments have preferential attention from international cooperation.



It should be mentioned that the decision of the World Heritage Committee, composed by representatives of 21 countries, was based on the technical report of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS). The PEACS initiated the steps for the candidacy in 2004, which was supported by the National Institute of Culture (INC) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. But before opening the bottles of pisco to celebrate the recognition, Shady emphasizes the urgent need for local and national authorities to take a real interest in making decisions and actions in favor of the conservation and preservation of the heritage left by our ancestors. “I hope that now that we have obtained the declaration of cultural heritage of humanity, the authorities give more attention to the projects that we have presented in accordance with the master plan that was approved by the Congress of the Republic. be carried out so that Caral also becomes a cultural axis that promotes comprehensive and sustainable development for neighboring populations, "he says. The works in the sacred city and in the other seven main settlements of the Caral civilization in which PEACS works continue. It is basically about preserving monuments. “Caral surprises every day. Its antiquity and authenticity have been recognized by Unesco and that is invaluable. With all my heart I want to congratulate all Peruvians on this triumph because we are all the heirs of this tradition. What is achieved in these nominations is the recognition of our ancestors. It is a compliment and a celebration of Peruvian identity that we should all celebrate”, she concludes. (So ​​far the office of the journalist Gabriela MachucaCastillo).
LOCATION, EXTENSION AND AGE
The City of Fire or the Sacred City of Caral, the center of the oldest civilization in the Andean world, is located on the banks of the Supe River, province of Huaura, department of Lima, at an altitude of 350 meters above sea level . The architectural remains of the Sacred City of Caral cover an area of ​​50 hectares and date back to 3000 years before Christ and belong to the late archaic period.


EN CARAL IT ORIGINATED THE ANCIENT ANDEAN STATE Studies led by Dr. Ruth Shady have shown that the Andean state and civilization are as old as the “Sumerian cities of Mesopotamia or when the pyramids of Cheops were built in Egypt. And in America it would be the oldest, because only around 1500 B.C. is that permanent settlements begin in Mesoamerica and with a certain complexity. Instead, here in Peru we are talking about 3000 BC, a millennium and a half before.
VALUOUS ARCHAEOLOGICAL REMAINS No ceramic remains have been found, but there have been monumental architecture with 6 large pyramidal volumes made of clay and some rustic huarango houses in the surrounding area. Human remains have been found on two of the walls, of a child and an adult, suggesting that they were sacrificed in honor of their gods during the construction of the sanctuary. Likewise, some tools have been found, such as digging sticks and perforated stones that were used to crush clods.
YOUR MOST IMPORTANT ACTIVITIES Archaeologist Ruth Shady maintains that "agriculture was one of the most important economic activities of that population, which was also dedicated to fishing." They were also engaged in trade, which is demonstrated by the discovery of some huayruros in the Sacred City of Caral, which undoubtedly come from the jungle, and hardwood that grows only in the mountains.

THEOCRACY, GODS AND RITUALS The civilization of Caral would have been directed by a theocratic State, ruled by priest-kings, as it happened with all the civilizations of the ancient world. The main ritual activities would have been carried out at the altar of eternal fire, which is a closed area with a hearth that has a ventilation duct, where offerings to the gods of Caral were cremated. But, in other places of the sanctuary there are also stoves, which shows that the monumental building was dedicated to the celebration of religious rituals. The walls were plastered and painted, so the monument in its time would have been majestic and imposing, admired by all the inhabitants of the Supe Valley.

Lima, June 29, 2009 Julio R. Villanueva Sotomayor
PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE AMPHITHEATER - CIRCULAR PLAZA