According to CCTV reports, on August 22nd Beijing time, the Institute of Archaeology of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and relevant Peruvian institutions officially signed an archaeological cooperation agreement in Supe, Peru. They will jointly conduct archaeological research on the Calal civilization.
After the signing is completed, the Sino-Peruvian joint archaeological team will initiate the first phase of field surveys. They will conduct on-site inspections of key sites such as Qaral Holy City and Aspero, to further refine the subsequent excavation plan.
This collaboration fills the gap in archaeological work by Chinese institutions in South American fields. The Chinese side will obtain firsthand archaeological data on early civilizations in the Americas, thereby contributing to comparative studies of ancient civilizations around the Pacific Ocean. This will contribute to global research on the origins of complex societies in the early periods from a Chinese academic perspective. The Peruvian side will also benefit from China’s practical experience in scientific archaeology and cultural heritage conservation, achieving mutual academic advancement.
Public records show that the Callar civilization emerged on the northern coast of present-day Peru, with an era spanning from 3000 BC to around 1800 BC. It is the earliest civilization discovered in the Americas to this day. The ancient city of Callar-Supe, located in the Sipewi Valley of Peru, is the core of the Callar civilization. It covers a total area of 626 hectares and is situated about 20 kilometers from the Pacific coast.
Archaeological studies show that the Calar civilization relied primarily on agricultural production, fishing, and trade for its economy. Archaeologists have not found any signs of defensive structures or evidence of wars at the ancient Calar ruins, which suggests that Calar was likely a peaceful trade center.
In 2009, the ancient city of Kalaar-Supai was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
