Las Haldas, Archaeological site near Pacific coast in Casma District, Peru.
Las Haldas is an archaeological site on Peru's Pacific coast with stone structures spreading across roughly 40 hectares, featuring a U-shaped central area, large mounds, elevated plazas, and residential zones. The layout of these structures shows careful urban planning with distinct areas for different activities.
The settlement began construction around 2200 BCE and reached its peak during the Early Horizon Period before inhabitants left by 300 BCE. This timeline marks one of the earliest major settlements on South America's Pacific coast.
The inhabitants maintained trade relationships with inland communities, exchanging marine products for agricultural goods from the Casma River valley settlements. These connections show how the center functioned as a meeting point between coast and highlands.
The site sits along the Pan-American Highway North at kilometer 345 and is easy to reach, with free entry during opening hours. Bring water and sun protection since the grounds are open and flat with little shade.
The settlement demonstrates how early cultures flourished without agricultural foundations, relying entirely on marine resources. This development challenges the common assumption that all ancient civilizations depended on farming.
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