Peru contains Caral, generally regarded as the oldest known urban centre in the Americas. The monumental settlement lies in the Supe Valley, north of present-day Lima, and was a major centre of the Norte Chico, or Caral-Supe, civilisation.
Caral flourished roughly 5,000 years ago, with the main occupation commonly dated to around 3000–1800 BCE. Its builders constructed large pyramidal platforms, sunken circular plazas, residential areas, and public spaces without evidence of pottery production at the site.
The society depended heavily on agriculture in the coastal river valleys and marine resources from the nearby Pacific. Archaeologists have found evidence of cotton cultivation, which supported fishing-net production and long-distance exchange.
Caral is older than many famous monumental traditions in the Americas, including the Maya urban tradition. In 2009, UNESCO listed the Sacred City of Caral-Supe as a World Heritage Site.