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Aspero Archaeological Complex

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Home » Lima » Aspero Archaeological Complex

Year after year the archaeological investigations give light to greater historical discoveries, unveiling greater mysteries that involve the history of the first settlers of our country, this is how the Archaeological Complex of Áspero, the fishing village.

Just 500 meters from the Peruvian sea, is an archaeological complex of many years old that now involves many mysteries, located in the city of Lima, is a tourist attraction worth visiting.

Where is the Aspero archaeological complex located?

Aspero is located on the right bank of the Supe River, only 500 meters from the Pacific Ocean.

At the moment, it is under the jurisdiction of the district of Supe Puerto. In the province of Barranca, of the city of Lima. To 2 km from the current port of Supe.

History of Áspero Caral

During the Late Archaic period 5000 years ago, in Áspero there was one of the first human settlements, first settlers who began the long process that would later give way to the first civilizations.

These first settlers established themselves on the coasts of Lima, since due to the proximity to the sea, they always had available marine resources such as anchovies, sardines and mollusks, this in turn served as a commercial link and barter with settlers farther from the sea, such as Caral, from whom they obtained agricultural products and particularly cotton.

It was very important not only for the elaboration of clothing, but also to be able to manufacture their fishing nets. Aspero was the main supplier of marine products during this period.

Although the development of Áspero was incipient, they managed to develop architecture, with 30 structures identified so far, it is denoted that the inhabitants of Áspero, had a high level of development in terms of social organization, 6 of these buildings are of religious character, while others are urban spaces, elite residential spaces, deposits and squares.

As for the remains found during the archaeological excavations we have:

-Fragments of stone plates, carved with pedestals.

-Small stone boulders which were used to exert weight on fishing nets, beads made from seashells, which were used in necklaces and ornaments while marking differences in social strata, while whale bones and carved birds were found.

Who discovered the Áspero culture?

The archaeological site of Áspero was studied for the first time by Maz Uhle, a German archaeologist, at the beginning of the 20th century, who determined that this was a fishing village. Later in 1970 Robert A. Feldman determined that the site was very ancient, belonging to the pre-ceramic period.

During the decade of the 80s, the place was abandoned, but in 1997 and once discovered the citadel of Caral, by Dr. Ruth Shady Solis, more interest was taken in the surrounding archaeological sites, and research continued, until the year 2016 was one of the most important findings in Peruvian history.

"The Lady of the 4 Tupus of Aspero", a mummified woman dating back to 4,500 years ago, who would have been a woman with an important social position, who was buried with a luxurious grave goods, with fine textiles, ornaments, spondylus necklaces with shell charms.

As well as the 4 Tupus with zoomorphic figures carved with designs of birds and monkeys. This finding shows that women had a fundamental role in ancient civilizations, leaving evidence that the thought of equality and duality is present since many years ago.

La Dama De Los 4 Tupus
The Lady Of The 4 Tupus

Entrance to the Archaeological complex of Áspero

The archaeological site of Aspero is included in the circuit of Caral, Aspero and Vichama.

The attention to the public is from Monday to Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm.

The rates are as follows:

  • National adult and / or foreigner: S/ 11.00
  • University students with valid ID: S/. 4.00
  • Children up to 12 years old: S/. 1.00

It should be noted that people over 60 years old, people in military service and accredited teachers have a 50% discount on the adult fare.

Additionally, the guide service inside the complex is mandatory, so the fee is S/. 20.00 for groups of 9 people.

To be able to visit Caral, Áspero and Vichama, you must make a reservation at least 3 days, through the following link bit.ly/3q9kJkW this because there is a greater control with the capacity of visitors.

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