The Ancient Americas

Featured Cultures

Peruvian Andes – Early Period
At first, Asana was a temporary camp for hunters exploring the Andes. Over time, as people figured out ways to deal with the problems of living at high altitudes, they stayed longer.

Eventually, the population began to grow larger. How do archaeologists know this? They estimate how many families used the site by measuring the amount of trash and counting firepits.

Life from 10,500 BC to 7800 BC

	Although Asana had many resources, air at high elevations has less oxygen, making it hard for newcomers to move and live. Men first used the site as a temporary hunting camp. Later, families came for brief stays.
	Living at high elevation and moving back and forth to lower camps was hard on children, pregnant women, and elders. As people continued to stay at high elevations longer, they adapted culturally and physically.
	Families processed animal hides and started making their clothing more tailored so they had better protection against the elements.

Life from 7800 BC to 6700 BC

During this time, the people at Asana maintained a successful community, gathering plants and hunting the ancestors of llamas and alpacas.

Continue to Peruvian Andes – Middle Period. >>