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Ica Region

Pernil Alto

Oldest inland sedentary village in Andes

Time Periods

Paleolithic

Paleolithic

Mesolithic

Mesolithic

Neolithic

Neolithic

Chalcolithic

Chalcolithic

Bronze Age

Bronze Age

Iron Age

Iron Age

Classical Period

Classical Period

Post-Classical Period

Post-Classical Period

Early Modern Period

Early Modern Period

Industrial Period

Industrial Period

Contemporary Period

Contemporary Period

Location

About

Pernil Alto, located in the Rio Grande District of Palpa province in Peru's Ica Region, is the oldest known inland and sedentary agricultural village in the Central Andes. Initially occupied around 3800 BCE, the site showcases the evolution from a hunter-gatherer society to an agrarian one over 800 years. By 3300 BCE, agriculture had become the main source of sustenance, with crops such as sweet potatoes and lima beans being cultivated. The site includes semi-subterranean dwellings, fireplaces, and storage pits, indicating a shift to a sedentary lifestyle with permanent structures. The village was abandoned around 2900 BCE, likely due to environmental changes. Pernil Alto provides invaluable insights into early agricultural practices in the Andes.

Gallery

Explore photographs of ancient structures, artifacts, and archaeological excavations at Pernil Alto

FilePalpa_Province_Peru_-_panoramio_2.jpg

Archaeological Features

Explore the unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site

Burial and Funerary Structures

Graves

Agricultural and Land Use Features

Gardens

Domestic and Habitation Structures

HousesVillages

Food Production and Processing Features

Hearths

Historical Timeline

Journey through time and discover key events in this site's archaeological history

Plan Your Visit

Details

Country
Ica Region
Source
Wikipedia