The earliest cultural phases of Peru consisted of the Lithic Period (12,000 - 3000 BC), the Preceramic Period (3000 - 1800 BC), the Initial Period (1800 - 900 BC), and Early Horizon (900 - 200 BC).  Many scholars have combined the latter two phases, the Initial and Early Horizon Period, into one phase called the Formative Period.

Lithic Period            12000 - 3000 BC
Preceramic Period    3000 - 1800 BC
Initial Period            1800 - 900 BC
Early Horizon           900 - 200 BC
 
 

Tembladera (Early Horizon) style pottery, mid-Jequetepeque valley (from Keatinge 1980)

 
 
 

Back to main page