Time Periods
Paleolithic
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Chalcolithic
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Classical Period
Post-Classical Period
Early Modern Period
Industrial Period
Contemporary Period
Time Periods
Paleolithic
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Chalcolithic
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Classical Period
Post-Classical Period
Early Modern Period
Industrial 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

Archaeological Features
Explore the unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site
Burial and Funerary Structures
Agricultural and Land Use Features
Domestic and Habitation Structures
Food Production and Processing Features
Historical Timeline
Journey through time and discover key events in this site's archaeological history
Plan Your Visit
Details
- Country
- Ica Region
- Source
- Wikipedia
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