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Press Release 04-160
Archaeologists Demonstrate Widespread Civilization Flourished on Peru's Coast Five Thousand Years Ago
December 22, 2004
Arlington, Va.—The Norte Chico ("little North") region midway on the Peruvian coast contains the earliest known evidence of a cohesive, large-scale and organized society in the Andean region. Recent archaeological discoveries, reported in the December 23 issue of the journal Nature, reveal the extent of this civilization.
A scientist might not pick that area as a likely site for an early and extensive civilization. There was no pottery. The people did not have a staple grain-based food, usually characteristic of other early civilizations. It was not even particularly fertile – irrigation was needed to grow crops. Neverthless, the research team has shown that the Andean area was home to a hunting and gathering society that developed into a complex society with monumental architecture, large circular ceremonial structures, and a mixed economy of agriculture and marine exploitation – all earlier than any other Andean civilization.
"This area is one of the world's 'cradles of civilization,'" said John Yellen, program manager at the National Science Foundation, which partially funded the study. "So this project's evidence of a highly developed, widespread society earlier than had been thought is very important. It provides new insight into the pathways that led to the development of complex societies."
Jonathan Haas, from The Field Museum in Chicago; and Winifred Creamer, of Northern Illinois University, were part of the research team; Alvaro Ruiz was the Peruvian co-director of the project.
-NSF-
Media Contacts
Elizabeth Malone, NSF (703) 292-8070 emalone@nsf.gov
Program Contacts
John E. Yellen, NSF (703) 292-8759 jyellen@nsf.gov
Principal Investigators
Jonathan Haas, The Field Museum (312) 665-7829 jhaas@fieldmuseum.org
Related Websites
More information about the Norte Chico project: http://www.fieldmuseum.org/panc
Look for The Field Museum's press release: http://www.fieldmuseum.org/museum_info/press_room.htm
Look for the Northern Illinois University press release: http://www.niu.edu/pubaffairs/news.shtml
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering. In fiscal year (FY) 2009, its budget is $9.5 billion, which includes $3.0 billion provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to over 1,900 universities and institutions. Each year, NSF receives about 44,400 competitive requests for funding, and makes over 11,500 new funding awards. NSF also awards over $400 million in professional and service contracts yearly.
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