Aspero facts for kids
3D model of Aspero
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| Location |  PeruBarranca Province, Lima |
|---|---|
| Type | Settlement |
| History | |
| Founded | 3700~2500 BC |
| Periods | Pre-ceramic |
| Cultures | Norte Chico civilization |
Aspero is an ancient place in Peru where people lived a very long time ago. It's on the coast, right where the Supe River meets the Pacific Ocean. This site was part of the old Norte Chico civilization.
Aspero covers about 35 acres, which is like 26 football fields. It has two big platform mounds called Huaca de los Sacrificios and Huaca de los Idolos. There are also 15 smaller mounds around them.
Contents
Discovering Aspero's Secrets
After archaeologists dug up the site, they learned a lot about Aspero. They found that each big mound was built in stages. They had two or three levels, rising about 10 meters (33 feet) high.
What Archaeologists Found
Inside these mounds, they found special buildings for ceremonies. There were also open areas called plazas and flat terraces. They even found big piles of ancient trash, called middens.
Hidden inside these structures were interesting items. These included small clay figures, wooden bowls, and feathers. They also found cotton, string, and objects made from reeds.
What Did People Eat?
Because Aspero is so close to the Pacific Ocean, people first thought they mostly ate seafood. Archaeologists found fish hooks and nets in the trash piles. This seemed to support the idea that fishing was very important.
This led to a theory called the "Maritime Foundations of Andean Culture." It suggested that early Peruvian culture grew because people fished, collected shellfish, and hunted sea animals. This was thought to be more important than farming at first.
However, many other experts didn't agree. They found proof of older sites further inland. At these sites, people were already using irrigation to grow crops.
New Discoveries and Connections
New technology has changed what we know about Aspero. Carbon dating helped scientists find a more exact age for the site. It also showed that Aspero was connected to other farming communities further inland.
Carbon dating showed that the main buildings at Aspero were built between 3700 and 2500 BC. This was during a time called the middle to late Archaic Period.
These connections made archaeologists think that Aspero wasn't just a fishing community. It was likely a farming community that also used the ocean's resources. Aspero probably traded with and learned from inland sites like Caral. This doesn't mean fishing wasn't important, but it shows a bigger picture.
These new dates help us understand how Aspero grew. They also show how connected Aspero was to its neighbors. Researchers now believe Aspero and nearby sites were part of a much larger cultural system. This system spread across many valleys in ancient Peru.
See also
In Spanish: Áspero (Caral) para niños
