Peru: Civilizations of Northern Peru

The Andean region possesses the oldest known civilization in the Americas, the earliest representative of which is the Caral-Supe Civilization of the narrow coastal strip, whose oldest city began around 3500 BC. The Andean Civilization is one of the six “pristine” civilizations in the world (the others being Egypt, Mesopotamia, China, Mesoamerica, and the Indus Valley), meaning purely indigenous and not derived from any other civilization. This region is known for extensive road systems, architecture and textile weaving. Agriculture in the coastal strip was possible only with irrigation from the high Andes, which allowed people to cultivate a wide variety of crops despite the hyper-arid coastal conditions. Food production spread from the coast into the Andes. Potatoes, peppers, peanuts, manioc, chocolate, and coca from the Andean region eventually became significant for trade worldwide. Archaeologists are making new discoveries nearly every day at the thousands of sites in Peru, of which much is not understood. This tour will feature an exploration of the sites and artifacts left behind by the cultures of northern Peru, comprising many of the most important and influential in the region. This includes a visit to the second largest adobe city in the world, Chan Chan; the oldest city in the Western Hemisphere, Caral; and an ancient citadel in the clouds that is called the “Machu Picchu of the North,” Kuelap. Our tour is led by a distinguished expert, Dr. Michele Koons of the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, who is actively engaged in archaeological field research in Peru at one of our tour sites, Pañamarca.

Dates: October 1-13, 2024

Click here to view the itinerary and register for your spot! Registration deadline July 1, 2024.