The origin of Andean Civilization

Abstract

This is a study of the rising of civilization around Ihe middle of the 5th millenium B.P. in the Central Andes (including the Peruvian Andes and a small section of the Bolivian plateau). This civilization would be the oldest in America and one of the earliest of the world. Several archeological testimoines. findings and excavations are presented in the following orden: 1) Identification of the region´s cultural complexes of some 10.000 years ago: Talara. Paijén. Cumbe and Lauricocha; 2) Plant and animal domestication processes. and storage and preservation techniques; 3) The rising of a center of political and religious power in the shape of a primitive State inthe Cenlral and North·Central highlands. about 4.500 B.P. With a supremacy of  camelid herders who were at the same time of microtermal tubers cultivators; 4) The great expansions of rhis center which dominated the lowlands first the Central and then the Northern coasts and the extreme north of the highlands building monumental ceremonial centers as it spreard; and 5) A guess and calculation of its lasling which would be about 4.500 to 3.300 years B. P. We call this time range the ln itial Horizon of the Andean Civilization.