Ancient city in Peru becomes tourist draw
WATCH VIDEOSource: CCTV.com
10-30-2008 09:28
Caral, an ancient city in Peru is becoming popular with tourists. The city dates back about 5000 years, 1500 years ahead of other populations on the American continent.
Caral is a desert city built by the first civilization in the Americas. Archaeologists at the ancient, wind-swept ruins are pressing to make it one of Peru's top tourist attractions.
Located about a three-hour car ride north of Lima, they hope to make it the second largest tourist attraction in the country, following Machu Picchu. The world famous Machu Picchu draws half a million visitors a year.
Crews have made scores of discoveries in 14 years. They have unearthed pyramids, an amphitheater and plazas, some of which date back 5,000 years.
Ruth Shady, archaelogoist, said, "Whoever constructed the building had a plan with a design for the craft-work. While constructing it they were able to decorate the walls of the building, which demonstrates more complexity in the engineering."
Shady recently petitioned for the project to be added to UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites, like Machu Picchu.
Ruth Shady said, "Caral was 1500 years ahead of other populations on the American continent. It was alone and this is interesting as a laboratory of comparison because we can see what we have in common with the old continent, and how we are different."
Caral does not have the five-star hotels and gourmet restaurants that Machu Picchu has. It costs just a few dollars to visit Caral and there aren't any big crowds yet. About 44,000 people visited last year.
Edmund Sheehey, tourist, said, "The archaeological site is special, this is much more interesting. The tremendous sense of history, beautifully prepared, and the wonderful mountainous setting."
Recently, the town nearest the ruins opened its first hotel. It has only 10 rooms, but it is a start to accommodating more tourists as excitement grows over Caral.
Graciela Signori, tourist, said, "Our ancestors must have lived in a marvellous time and the truth is I am very interested in the mysteries and all who lived here."
The project receives funding from the government. This will aid in construction of basic infrastructure, like roads.
