Landscape alteration and prehistoric human occupation on the north coast of Peru

Abstract

A series of uplifted bays and former shorelines in the Chimbote region are discussed in relation to tectonic uplift during the Peruvian preceramic period. The molluscan fauna from a series of these preceramic sites are warm-water species, which are evidence of a warm-water current prior to 5000 B.P. This indicates that the east Pacific Ocean currents were markedly different from the modern current patterns. This date has major implications for the pre-5000 B.P. climate of the north coast of Peru.