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Goshen College

Modern Caral near the ancient Caral – Day 2

October 6, 2016

Friday, Sept. 23

This rock stood in a central plaza and was part of a sundial.
This rock stood in a central plaza and was part of a sundial.

Ancient Caral is very ancient; at 4,600 years old it is the oldest civilization discovered in the Americas, having been built at the same time as the pyramids in Egypt.  Indeed, it is one of the six oldest civilizations in the world.  We spent the morning touring the ruins before returning to ‘new’ Caral for a tour of the town’s health clinic to learn how health services are provided in low population rural areas.

After lunch we returned to Lima, but our bus broke down on the highway.  Using two other buses to complete the journey took extra time, but riding in a double-decker open-air bus in downtown Lima turned out to be an unexpected treat for the students.

Caral is one of the six oldest civilizations in the world, along with Mesopotamia and Egypt.
Our guide explained that no trace of warfare — including weapons or fortifications — have been found at Caral. The civilization was peaceful.
The guide explains that for unknown reasons the city’s residents buried the pyramids under rocks before abandoning the city.
This rock stood in a central plaza and was part of a sundial.
One of the pyramids is the size of 4 football fields.
Caral was built beside this green valley cutting through the desert. The river descends from the Andes.
A nurse explains health services in new Caral’s health clinic.
Students huddle to create their own shelter from the cruel, cold wind.
A busy Lima street on Friday night in an open air bus: the best place to show off traditional Andean dance moves.
Spanish professor Moises had a birthday.
Maria with a thank-you lunch for the 3 Spanish professors.