Peruvian Ancient Cultures
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The actual territory of Peru was not only the main center of the Tahuantinsuyo, but also the center of the powerful Inca Empire, and after the Spanish conquer, the biggest Spanish Viceroyalty in America.
Peru has been inhabited since 20 000 years ago by hunters and collectors, according to some lithic rests found in the caves of Piquimachay (Ayacucho), Chivateros, Lauricocha, Paijan, and Toquepala. The oldest primitive cultures appeared in 6000 BC : in the coast (in the provinces of Chilca and Paracas) and in the highlands (in the province of Callejon de Huaylas). 3000 years later, people became sedentary (Kotosh, Huaca Prieta) so they began to cultivate plants like corn and cotton (Gossypium Barbadense) and to tame some animals too. A few years later, they continue with the spinning and knitting of cotton and wool. They also began to do some basketry and they made the first potteries.
The first and more developed Andean civilizations appeared in the century XIII BC. They were:
- Chavin – The Peruvian Mother Culture, according to Julio C. Tello
- Paracas
- Mochica
(Image © PROMPERU, used with permission)
This cultures developed excellent techniques of cultivation, gold and silver work, pottery, metallurgy and knitting. They also made social organizations that later (around the century XII AC) became the great Inca civilization.
