45 Ancient Ruins That Are Even More Stunning Than the Pyramids

44. Caral-Supe (Supe Valley, Peru): Americas' Oldest Known Urban Center

Predating the Inca by millennia, Caral-Supe in Peru's Supe Valley is recognized as the oldest known urban center in the Americas, dating back over 5,000 years (around 2600-2000 BCE). This monumental complex features six large pyramidal structures, circular plazas, and residential buildings. Its sophisticated design, astronomical alignments, and evidence of a highly organized society that lacked pottery and warfare are truly baffling. Caral offers a profound glimpse into a foundational civilization of the Andes, rewriting the timeline of complex societies in the Western Hemisphere.