Archaeologists discover how oldest American civilisation survived a climate catastrophe

Experts find artefacts left behind in Caral showing how population survived drought without resorting to violence

Archaeologists in Peru have found new evidence showing how the oldest known civilization in the Americas adapted and survived a climate catastrophe without resorting to violence.

A team led by the renowned Peruvian archaeologist Ruth Shady, 78, concluded that about 4,200 years ago, severe drought forced the population to leave the ancient city of Caral, and resettle nearby.