In this episode, we look at the civilizational complex that emerged in the Andean river valleys of North Central Peru (commonly called the Caral-Supe Civilization). The set of culturally-linked settlements that sprang up, prior to the emergence of agriculture, along the river valleys in what is today Peru, while not widely known, is a remarkable example of a so-called “pristine” civilization – that is the rise of a sophisticated cultural and social complex without any known outside influence. Beyond its social and cultural forms, however, we will explore the idea that the Andean River Valley Civilization was enabled by some kind of developed political system, one that could make feasible sedentary communities through the coordination of a logistically-complex food supply system. We also consider how this example reminds us of the basic fact that a world of Palaeolithic coastal or littoral communities, now vanished due to sea level rise, may well have been central to our human journey.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rolfstromolsen.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rolfstromolsen.substack.com