~3000 BCE Norte Chico

Caral Pyramids, Peru

Caral, Peru (-10.8920°N, -77.5200°E)

Detailed Account

The oldest known civilization in the Americas built massive stepped pyramids in Caral, contemporary with the Egyptian pyramids. The largest, the Piramide Mayor, is 18m tall with a 150m base. Caral had no pottery, no writing, and no evidence of warfare — yet built monumental pyramid structures. These are roughly contemporary with Giza, raising the question of parallel development or shared ancient knowledge.

Geographic Context

Location Caral, Peru
Latitude -10.892000° N
Longitude -77.520000° E