The sacred city of Caral-Supe is the oldest ceremonial and urban centre of the Peruvian coast (2600-2000 BCE). A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the town dominated the 10,000 inhabitants who lived in the lush green valley. Set in a 626ha archaeological zone, Caral features six truncated pyramids among rectangular constructions, surrounding a vast esplanade. It is thought that most of the buildings were initially covered in a layer of painted clay.