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Caral-Era Coastal Site Áspero Yields Astronomical Observation Complex

Researchers say sky-watching there guided choices on tides, climate shifts, fishing, trade.

Overview

  • Peru’s Ministry of Culture, through the Caral team, announced a multi‑phase observation space at Áspero, a key Caral fishing port in Supe Puerto.
  • The complex sits in Sector J1 near the main pyramidal buildings with open views of the Pacific shore and the lower Supe Valley.
  • Excavations recorded an oval platform 3.18 meters across with a central huanca, a vertical stone used to read the Sun’s shadow for timekeeping and orientation.
  • A later phase added a two‑level circular platform with 9.40‑meter and 4.80‑meter tiers plus a central stone and a ceremonial hearth, pointing to intensified ritual tied to sky tracking.
  • Researchers identified four construction periods that end with the area turned into housing, with a working date near 2000 BCE under study through orientation analysis and radiocarbon tests, and public exhibits and Áspero Raymi events planned to share results.