Horizon-Period Chronologies of Peru

for Dr. Sutter's ANTH-P370

Modified from Rowe (1967) & Lanning (1967)

Paleoindians (8,000 BC+???)*

Large game hunters (?) characterized by a highly mobile lifestyle. A date of 9,500 BC is thought to be earliest by advocates of the "Clovis 1st Model", while most "Pre-Clovis" advocates suggest that the Paleoindian Period may extend back to 13,000 BC (there are a few who even suggest as much as 40,000 YBP).

Preceramic Period (8000 - 1800 BC)**

Generally, the period following the Paleoindian Period that is characterized by a lack of ceramics. It is broken into two sub-periods.

Early Preceramic Period (8,000 - 4,000 BC)

Marks the beginnings of village life

Late Preceramic Period (4,000 - 1800 BC)

Marks the earliest societies characterized by a sedentary lifestyle & beginnings of domestication of plants and animals.

Initial Period (1800 - 800 BC)

Characterized by large localized societies, the construction of large temple mounds, and the experimentation with ceramics & agriculture.

Early Horizon (800 - 200 BC)

Characterized by spread of Chavín art & iconography.

Early Intermediate Period (200 BC - AD 750)

Return to localized societies, Moche, Paracas, Chiripa, Pucara, & early development of Tiwanaku

Middle Horizon (AD 750 - 1100)

Characterized by the emergence of the first true empires, Wari, Tiwanaku

Late Intermediate Period (AD 1100 - 1476)

Localized warring chiefdoms; Chimor, Aymara Kingdoms, Pachacamac

Late Horizon (AD 1476 -1532)

Expansion of the Inca Empire

Spanish Colonial Period (AD 1532 - through 18th century)

* The Paleoindian period actually represents Lanning's (1967) Preceramic Period I & II

** The Preceramic Period for this course actually represents Lanning's Preceramic III - VI.

This page was created and is maintained by Dr. Richard Sutter.

Last updated 3/28/01.