The civilizations of ancient Peru before the Inca
A long time before the Inca Empire rose to power, the land we now know as Peru was home to a series of different ancient civilizations.
These cultures were each unique in its own right, but they laid the groundwork for the Inca's eventual development.
The Caral Civilisation: The First Builders
Around 5,000 years ago, the Caral civilisation appeared in the Supe Valley, which arguably made it one of the oldest known cultures in the Americas.
The Caral people were masters at building. They constructed massive pyramids and plazas as well as temples without using metal tools or pottery.
Instead, they had relied on stone and their deep understanding of the land. Their city of Caral was a bustling centre of trade and religion as well as art.
The Chavín: Masters of Art and Religion
Following the Caral, the Chavín culture arose around 3,000 years ago and flourished between 900 BC and 200 BC.
The Chavín were based in the highlands and are perhaps best remembered for their stunning artwork and religious customs.
They carved detailed designs into stone, which depicted powerful gods and mythical creatures.
The Chavín de Huántar was a religious centre and became a pilgrimage site for many.
Here, ceremonies with music and dance, as well as perhaps even hallucinogenic plants, connected the people with the spiritual world.
The Nazca: Mysterious Desert Artists
In the southern deserts of Peru, the Nazca culture flourished between 200 BCE and 600 CE.
They are arguably most famous for the Nazca Lines, which were enormous geoglyphs that had been etched into the desert floor.
These designs range from simple lines to detailed images of animals like spiders and monkeys and can only be fully appreciated from the sky.
Why the Nazca created these expansive artworks is still a mystery, but they might have had religious or astronomical purposes.
The Moche: Warriors and Craftsmen
On the northern coast, the Moche civilisation thrived from 100 to 700 CE. Unlike the Nazca, the Moche left behind detailed records of their lives in the form of beautiful pottery.
These ceramics depict scenes of battles and ceremonies as well as daily life. The Moche were also known for their goldwork and finely crafted jewellery.
Their society was structured, with rulers, warriors, priests, and artisans each playing a vital part.
The twin powers of Wari and Tiwanaku
Before the Inca, two major empires had dominated the Andes: the Wari and the Tiwanaku.
Between 500 and 1000 CE, these two cultures expanded their territories and built roads and cities as well as fortresses.
The Wari were based in the Ayacucho region, and the Tiwanaku were near Lake Titicaca.
Both cultures arguably influenced each other in terms of art and architecture.
The Birth of the Inca
From the highlands of Cusco, a new power began to appear around the 13th century: the Inca.
The Inca drew from the knowledge and traditions of the cultures that came before them and would go on to create what was arguably the largest empire in pre-Columbian America.
Their story was filled with conquests and innovations as well as an extensive network of roads, and it would go on to influence the history of the Andes and leave a lasting impact for generations to come.