El Paraíso — Chuquitanta Preceramic Temple-U Chimney

Why it mattersKey Norte Chico? Late Preceramic Chillón (El Paraíso phase) temple-complex with stratified sequence and regional typology.

Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.

Built

c. 2200 BCE Temple I (40 m × 100 ha composite U-site 100 ha), U-temple 300 m wide double building

Period

Preceramic Late (3000–1800 BCE Chuquitanta; main 2200 BCE Temple I)

Culture

Norte Chico? Late Preceramic Chillón (El Paraíso phase)

Purpose

U-shaped temple complex (100 ha, Temple I 40 m × 100 ha north hill? terrace 8 m × 80 m with U-arm 300 m) — largest Preceramic structure (300×100 m U temple)

Rediscovered

Modern excavation 1987

Excavation

Excavated

1. c. 1200 BCE major extension

   Major expansion / refurbishment at El Paraíso — Chuquitanta Preceramic Temple-U Chimney

2. 2005 excavation

   Modern rediscovery and scientific excavation of El Paraíso — Chuquitanta Preceramic Temple-U Chimney

• El Paraíso — Chuquitanta Preceramic Temple-U Chimney — Principal Temple

  temple

  temple at El Paraíso — Chuquitanta Preceramic Temple-U Chimney — hydraulic feature

  11.9517° S · 77.1205° W

• El Paraíso — Chuquitanta Preceramic Temple-U Chimney — Altar Annex 2

  altar

  altar at El Paraíso — Chuquitanta Preceramic Temple-U Chimney — subsidiary complex

  11.9512° S · 77.1199° W

• El Paraíso — Chuquitanta Preceramic Temple-U Chimney — Southern Shrine

  shrine

  shrine at El Paraíso — Chuquitanta Preceramic Temple-U Chimney — hydraulic feature

  11.9543° S · 77.1195° W

• El Paraíso — Chuquitanta Preceramic Temple-U Chimney — Eastern Temple

  temple

  temple at El Paraíso — Chuquitanta Preceramic Temple-U Chimney — outlier feature

  11.9531° S · 77.1171° W