Caral is an ancient temple complex of six large pyramids and many smaller pyramids in the Supe Valley, 182 kilometers north from Lima and about 30 kilometers into the desert from the coast of Peru. It’s size is about 65 hectares and includes two massive circular plazas, temples, amphitheaters, residential zones, and a surrounding farm district thoroughly irrigated by the Supe River. The astonishing fact is that carbon dating recently revealed an age of 5500 years, predating the Egyptian and Sumer civilization. Consequently, Caral is the oldest city in the New World.

In 2001, the site was discovered by Ruth Shady (Solis), Ph.D., a Peruvian anthropologist and archaeologist who was convinced there must be ancient cities, alike the eastern civilization.

The city’s plan and some of its components, including pyramidal structures and residence of the elite, show clear evidence of ceremonial functions, signifying a powerful religious ideology. It has the same characteristics (pyramids, grand design) as Teotihuacan in Mexico, which is true mystery since they are built in entirely different epochs. Is the dating correct, or have the builders of Teotihuacan visited Caral?