Some interesting points relating to the origins of civilization:
When compared to the common Eurasian models of the development of civilization, Norte Chico's differences are striking. A total lack of ceramics persists across the period.
I've read elsewhere that Norte Chico was founded prior to the domestication of plants, which also contradicts the established model of early civilizations. Perhaps this related to the lack of ceramics. It would create greater difficulty in transporting and storing food. Not seeing that on this article, so more research is warranted.
Haas notes the absence of any suggestion of physical bases of power, that is, defensive construction. There is no evidence of warfare "of any kind or at any level during the Preceramic Period." Mutilated bodies, burned buildings, and other tell-tale signs of violence are absent, and settlement patterns are completely non-defensive. The evidence of the development of complex government in the absence of warfare is in marked contrast to archaeological theory
Worthy further investigation!
ziq_TNG wrote
So it's a civilization that existed without agriculture? Can that even be called a civilization? I guess the organized workforce gets it the civ label?