A map showing the known archeological sites of the earliest settlements along the western coast of South American.

Humans Enter the South American Continent

Permanent Settlement of the Andean Altiplano Begins

Chinchorro Inhabit the Peruvian and Chilean Coasts

Valdivia Culture Forms Villages in Coastal Ecuador

Construction of Monumental Architecture at Caral in Peru

Construction of El Paraíso in Peru

Chavín de Huántar Is Peru’s Urban Center

Paracas Culture Develops a Sophisticated Textile Tradition

Nasca Lines Drawn in Desert Near Coast of Peru

Moche Build the Huaca del Sol and Huaca de la Luna

Lima Culture Flourishes on the Central Andean Coast