Archaeologists demonstrate widespread civilization flourished on Peru's coast 5000 years ago
The Norte Chico ("little North") region midway on the Peruvian coast contains the earliest known evidence of a cohesive, large-scale and organized society in the Andean region. Recent archaeological discoveries, reported in the December 23 issue of the journal Nature, reveal the extent of this civilization.
A scientist might not pick that area as a likely site for an early and extensive civilization. There was no pottery. The people did not have a staple grain-based food, usually characteristic of other early civilizations. It was not even particularly fertile - irrigation was needed to grow crops. Neverthless, the research team has shown that the Andean area was home to a hunting and gathering society that developed into a complex society with monumental architecture, large circular ceremonial structures, and a mixed economy of agriculture and marine exploitation - all earlier than any other Andean civilization.
"This area is one of the world's 'cradles of civilization,'" said John Yellen, program manager at the National Science Foundation, which partially funded the study. "So this project's evidence of a highly developed, widespread society earlier than had been thought is very important. It provides new insight into the pathways that led to the development of complex societies."
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We sure hope it was Fascinating talk on archaeology at Civic Trust
Familiar historical anchors at Clew Bay Heritage Centre and Newport were the opening pictures to a fascinating illustrated talk given by Karl Brady of the Underwater Archaeology Unit (UAU) of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, to the Westport Civic Trust. This unit, formed in 1997 and with a complement of four archaeologists who are also divers, has been tasked with creating an inventory of shipwrecks around the coast. The unit also, among other responsibilities, has an input into assessing planning applications when they might impinge on maritime heritage.
New studies show Jiroft was an international trade center 5000 years ago
Studies by foreign archaeologists and experts on seals recently discovered in the Jiroft area prove that Jiroft was an international trade center 5000 years ago.
The head of the excavation team in the region, Yusef Majidzadeh, said on Wednesday that several ancient seals in various shapes were discovered during the most recent excavation at the site.
“The twenty-five discovered seals show that the regional people made use of seals in their business. They used to put products inside jars, covered the tops with mud, and then sealed them up,” said Majidzadeh.
Experts continue to collect and analyze beach artifacts
Experts have slightly revised their analysis of artifacts found on a Lewes beach this fall, saying the bricks, pottery and other objects probably date to a period running roughly from 1700 to 1730.
Craig Lukezic, an archaeologist for the state of Delaware, said the new determination was made amid continued inspection of items displayed in recent days by people who gathered them from sands near Roosevelt Inlet.
The artifacts were dredged from beneath Delaware Bay by the Army Corps of Engineers as sand was pumped ashore in September and October. Most of the rare objects were broken in the process.