Amotape complex facts for kids
The Amotape complex was a group of very early people who lived on the northern coast of Peru a long, long time ago. They lived there between about 9,000 and 7,100 years Before Common Era (BCE). This makes them some of the oldest known groups of people to live along the Peruvian coast.
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Discovering the Amotape Complex: Ancient Peru's First People
Who Were the Amotape People?
The people of the Amotape complex were hunter-gatherers. This means they didn't farm. Instead, they found their food by hunting animals and gathering plants. They also collected shellfish from the swampy areas along the coast. These swamps, called mangrove swamps, were common back then.
What Tools Did They Use?
These ancient people made their own tools from stone. They used types of stone called chalcedony and quartzite. Their tools were often "unifacial," meaning they were sharpened on only one side. These tools helped them gather plants and hunt animals for food.
How Was the Amotape Complex Discovered?
An American expert named James Richardson III found the Amotape complex. He discovered about a dozen small camps where these people lived. These camps were in the desert near the Amotape hills, close to the modern city of Talara in Peru.
What Else Was Happening Then?
At the same time the Amotape people lived, other groups were also developing nearby. For example, people lived at Huaca Prieta and in the Siches area. These places are in northern Peru, close to the country of Ecuador. These groups shared some similar ways of life with the Amotape complex.
