Instructions
You are a history detective! For a long time, people thought the story of big cities in the Americas started around 3500 BCE. But recent discoveries have revealed a much older and more mysterious story. Read the events on the timeline below. Use what you know from the chapter "Cities in the Desert" to fill in the blanks and uncover the secrets of one of the first civilizations in the Americas.
An Ancient American Timeline
For comparison, let's look across the world: Sumerian civilization emerges in the Middle East.
A Detective's Note: Everything we are learning about the Americas from before 3500 BCE is very new information! For a long time, historians had no idea that equally amazing things were happening in the Americas so long ago. We are just now starting to piece together the clues.
The OLD Story: This is when we used to think civilization developed in "the New World." For many years, history books said this was the beginning.
A New Chapter is Discovered! In the deserts of Peru, a mysterious and advanced civilization called the Norte Chico built huge cities. This discovery completely changed our understanding of history in the Americas!
Solve the Mystery!
1. The largest and most famous city of the Norte Chico civilization was called C _ _ _ _.
2. The people of Norte Chico were amazing builders. What did they build in the middle of their cities?
3. This civilization was unusual. Name one common thing they did NOT have that most other ancient civilizations did:
Answer Key
1. The largest and most famous city of the Norte Chico civilization was called Caral.
2. What did they build in the middle of their cities? Large earthen mounds / pyramids / sunken circular plazas (Any of these answers are correct).
3. Name one common thing they did NOT have that most other ancient civilizations did: Pottery / writing / weapons or evidence of warfare (Any of these answers are correct).