Ancient urban life at the Early Horizon center of Caylán, Peru.

This article examines the development of urban forms of community organization on the north-central coast of Peru during the 1st millennium B.C. Recent mapping and excavations at the Early Horizon center of Caylán, in the Nepeña Valley, provide insights into the nucleation of human groups at an extensive valley floor complex. The results indicate the establishment of an urban core around cross-cutting avenues, while architectural data point towards the existence of multi-functional residential stone-and-mud walled compounds. The density of the architectural remains combined with the abundance of refuse is indicative of a significant urban population. The Caylán research sheds light on the development of urbanism after the demise of the Chavín sphere of interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]