Archaeologica.org

OK, I read it. It is a great summary of studies til recently on the dates of these Peruvian sites.
Notice the map of the numerous rivers...and the size of some of these places. It seems that a similar culture occupied numerous sites along the coast for a couple hundred miles, beginning about 5000 bp with monumental structures
(implying "civilization.")
Also the beginnings of the kivas or larger below-ground circular structures which are still used in SW US. As far as I know, these are unique to the Americas.
Most of the sites have not been excavated...and many probably have not even been discovered...
The article also makes an intriguing statement, that these places were built in one of the most arid places on earth, but were adjacent to one of the richest fisheries anywhere.
Makes me think that the inhabitants might have been fish eaters from way back....maybe that's how they made it across the water.
Anyhow, great news. thanks again for the link, marduk.

The article also makes an intriguing statement, that these places were built in one of the most arid places on earth, but were adjacent to one of the richest fisheries anywhere.

Having fished what we now call the Humboldt Current-out of nearby Ecuador-I can affirm what the article says about the fishing.

Sam - you're an interesting fellow. You've sure done a lot. Good to have you around as a resource.

http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/15.01/khipu.html

Incan civilization was a technological marvel. When the Spanish conquistadors arrived in 1532, they found an empire that spanned nearly 3,000 miles, from present-day Ecuador to Chile, all served by a high-altitude road system that included 200-foot suspension bridges built of woven reeds. It was the Inca who constructed Machu Picchu, a cloud city terraced into a precarious stretch of earth hanging between two Andean peaks. They even put together a kind of Bronze Age Internet, a system of messenger posts along the major roads. In one day, Incan runners amped on coca leaves could relay news some 150 miles down the network.

3 pages - pretty good.

They even put together a kind of Bronze Age Internet, a system of messenger posts along the major roads. In one day, Incan runners amped on coca leaves could relay news some 150 miles down the network.

I use the modern internet quite a lot
where can I get these coca leaves that you speak of