Caral: The First Civilization in the Americas
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© Chris Kleihege
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For the past ten years, North American photographer Chris Kleihege has been working with Peruvian archaeologist Ruth Shady in photographing the excavation of a recently discovered site, now established to be the oldest civilization in the Western Hemisphere. Capturing the monumental architecture as well as the stunning landscape in which it resides, Caral: The First Civilization in the Americas is the only photographic survey of this Peruvian excavation.
Cradled in the Supe Valley and surrounded by the foothills of the Andes, Caral, Peru, which radiocarbon dating has shown was in existence as early as 2627 BC, is contemporaneous with the pyramids of Egypt, ensuring its place in history as one of the first complex societal cultures. The civilization includes a main ceremonial city with six major pyramids, large plazas, amphitheaters, residential units, indeed all of the structures necessary for an urban center. |
Occupied for 1000 years and then abandoned and forgotten for the following 4000 years, Caral is unique of all early
civilizations in that it remained buried, untouched and unremembered until very recently.
With its discovery, Caral’s influence throughout South America is beginning to be understood. Construction styles and
techniques developed at Caral 5000 years ago are found in the structures of the Inca from 500 years ago; a proto-Quechua, the antecedent to the language of the Incas and still spoken throughout the Andes, is being investigated as having begun at Caral. Even the famous Nasca lines appear to have earlier expressions at Caral.
The discovery of this first civilization in Caral is showcased in this exhibition of forty color photographs, including
panoramic vistas, spectacular aerial views and first ever images of the distinctive artifacts that have been uncovered at the site of this preceramic society.
Number of photographs: 40
Size of photographs: 20 36x46 inch photographs and 20 20x24 inch photographs.
Rental fee: $6000 for 8 weeks, additional weeks prorated at 10% extra per week.
Publication
“Caral, The First Civilization in the Americas”, Shady and Kleihege.
(Universidad de San Martin de Porres Press and The University of Chicago Press, 2009)
Previous Exhibitions and Presentations!
George Eastman House Museum of Photography and Film. October, 2011
Embassy of Peru. Washington, D.C. October and November, 2010
Archaeological Institute of America.. September 2009. New York City
Museo Oro del Peru. July 2009. Lima, Peru
UNESCO World Heritage Site Presentation. June 2009. Seville, Spain
Ministry of Foreign Affairs. October, 2008. Lima, Peru.
civilizations in that it remained buried, untouched and unremembered until very recently.
With its discovery, Caral’s influence throughout South America is beginning to be understood. Construction styles and
techniques developed at Caral 5000 years ago are found in the structures of the Inca from 500 years ago; a proto-Quechua, the antecedent to the language of the Incas and still spoken throughout the Andes, is being investigated as having begun at Caral. Even the famous Nasca lines appear to have earlier expressions at Caral.
The discovery of this first civilization in Caral is showcased in this exhibition of forty color photographs, including
panoramic vistas, spectacular aerial views and first ever images of the distinctive artifacts that have been uncovered at the site of this preceramic society.
Number of photographs: 40
Size of photographs: 20 36x46 inch photographs and 20 20x24 inch photographs.
Rental fee: $6000 for 8 weeks, additional weeks prorated at 10% extra per week.
Publication
“Caral, The First Civilization in the Americas”, Shady and Kleihege.
(Universidad de San Martin de Porres Press and The University of Chicago Press, 2009)
Previous Exhibitions and Presentations!
George Eastman House Museum of Photography and Film. October, 2011
Embassy of Peru. Washington, D.C. October and November, 2010
Archaeological Institute of America.. September 2009. New York City
Museo Oro del Peru. July 2009. Lima, Peru
UNESCO World Heritage Site Presentation. June 2009. Seville, Spain
Ministry of Foreign Affairs. October, 2008. Lima, Peru.
| Exhibition Overview |