A monumental stone plaza at 4750 B.P. in the Cajamarca Valley of Peru

• DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adl0572
• Publication Date: 2024-02-14T18:58:58Z
• Authors: Jason L. Toohey; Melissa S. Murphy; Patricia Chirinos...; Sarah G. Stagg; Alex Garcia-Putnam
• Keywords: Megalith

We report one of the earliest known circular plazas in Andean South America and examples monumental, megalithic ceremonial architecture Americas. The example presented here is constructed large free-standing vertically placed stones located Cajamarca basin northern Peruvian Andes. This construction method has never before been reported Andes distinct from other monumental region. present three radiocarbon dates associated with initial plaza which average to approximately 2750 calibrated years common era (cal BCE), corresponding squarely Late Preceramic period, saw first