Which city in the Western Hemisphere is contemporaneous with the pyramids of Egypt and the ziggurats of Mesopotamia? The site of Caral, in northern Peru, dates to 4,700 years old and is revolutionizing what we know about the origins of civilization in South America. This year, UNESCO recognized the significance of Caral by adding it to its list of World Heritage sites. On September 24, you will have a rare opportunity to explore Caral and the ancient Peruvian site of Cardal, two of the earliest civilizations in the Americas, which gave rise to monumental architecture, magnificent murals, and remarkable carved figures.

Caral: The New World’s Earliest Civilization
(Photo by Chris Kleihege)


For information on travel to Peru, please visit www.peru.info.

The Archaeological Institute of America (AIA) and PromPeru invite you to a special lecture:

From Caral to Cardal: Adventures in Early Peruvian Civilization

by Richard Burger, world-renowned expert on Peruvian archaeology, Professor of Anthropology, Yale University, and Director of Excavations at Cardal.

Thursday, 24 September 2009
6:30 – 9:30 PM | The Penn Club
30 West 44th Street at Fifth Avenue
New York, NY

Lecture to be followed by a special presentation of photographs from Christopher Kleihege, co-author of Caral: The First Civilization in the Americas, and by a reception featuring Peruvian specialties.

Tickets are $25 for Archaeological Institute of America members or $40 for non-members. Fee includes lecture plus a cocktail and hors d'oeuvres reception. Click here to buy tickets online. Please call 617.353.8709 or email jklahn@aia.bu.edu for further details.

The Archaeological Institute of America promotes public interest in the cultures and civilizations of the past, supports archaeological research, fosters the sound professional practice of archaeology, advocates the preservation of the world’s archaeological heritage, and represents the discipline in the wider world.