Final answer:
Caral, Peru, one of the oldest urban centers in the Americas, was first settled around 2600 to 2000 BCE and served as the hub of the advanced Caral civilization.
Step-by-step explanation:
Settlement of Caral, Peru
Caral, Peru, is one of the earliest urban centers in the Americas and was first settled around 2600 BCE to 2000 BCE. It was the focal point of the Norte Chico or Caral civilization, which demonstrated advanced social structures, including organized religion, social divisions, and powerful hereditary leadership.
The Caral site is characterized by numerous mounds, with the main temple being the largest, implicating a society that could mobilize labor for large-scale constructions.
The people of Caral subsisted on a diet that included fish, squash, beans, avocados, and potatoes. Archaeological findings also suggest there were connections among various sites in central coastal Peru, implying an intricate society with likely trade relations and communal cultural practices.
The complexity of the society is seen through the monumental architecture, large-scale building projects, and evidence of spiritual rituals.