El Paraiso

A large ceremonial site in the Chillón Valley on the central coast of Peru,) dating to the Late Preceramic and Initial Period. It has a massive architectural complex of 6-7 mounds, courts, and rooms interconnected by corridors. Five to six building phases are evident in the constructions of fieldstone masonry laid in clay. No pottery or maize has been found, but twined and woven textiles are common in burials and domesticated beans and squash remains have also been recovered.

Located in the flood plain of the lower Chillón Valley on the central coast of Peru, El Paraiso (also known as Chuquitanta) dates to Preceramic Period VI. Considerably larger than other contemporary sites, its massive architectural complex of mounds, courts and rooms interconnected by corridors covers an area of 50 to 60 hectares. Five to six building phases are evident in the constructions of fieldstone masonry laid in clay (some with mud-plastered walls). Although the population at its maximum is estimated at only 1500, the whole complex represents an investment of labour considerably beyond what could be expected of such a population. The low population figure (confirmed to a great extent by the small amount of cultural refuse) suggests that El Paraiso was an early ceremonial centre. No pottery or maize was found at any level, but twined and woven textiles are common (found in fabric-wrapped burials) and domesticated beans and squash remains were also recovered.