People from Asia arrived in the Americas at least 15,000 years ago, but by the European arrival in the 15th century, many South American civilisations had either disappeared or would later fall to new empires. There were still many, however, which were vast and thriving, constructing incredible monuments that we are lucky enough to be able to enjoy today. Read on to find out more about these societies’ fascinating histories below.
The Caral Supe are the oldest known advanced civilisation in the American continents discovered to date, dating back to 3000-2500 BC. Nearly twenty separate villages have been identified in north Peru, with a centre in the urban community at Caral. The city of Caral included enormous earthy platform mounds, which for centuries were considered just to be low lying hills, until more modern archeological techniques uncovered their true origins.
The people of the Nazca civilisation on the south coast of Peru are best known for carving huge geoglyphs into the earth during the period around 100-700 AD, which today is best viewed by air. These geometric drawings of birds and other animals were made by gouging into the varnished rock of the vast arid desert. The Nazca are also famous for their masterful textile and ceramic art, including an elaborate mortuary ritual associated with warfare and the taking of trophy heads.
The capital city of an empire built 13,000ft above sea level around 500-1100 AD, the Tiwanaku Empire was situated on the shores of Lake Titicaca on both sides of the border between what is now modern day Peru and Bolivia. During its heyday, Tiwanaku controlled much of the southern Andes and the coastline of South America. Despite its location at such a high altitude, it swelled in size to a population perhaps as large as 20,000–40,000 inhabitants.
The Wari (also spelled Huari) state was located in the central Andes mountains of Peru, and established themselves as direct competition with Tiwanaku during their peak around 750-1000 AD. Their most famous site near Lima called Pachacamac has been a source of great artifacts over the years, many of which are on display at the museum complex there.
The Inca Empire was the largest prehispanic society of South America when it was ‘discovered’ by the Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century, having previously dominated the period of 1250-1532 AD. At their height, the Incas controlled all of the western part of the South American continent, including land in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina.
The Inca capital was in Cusco, Peru. The expansion from Cusco began around 1250 AD or so, and once stretched for 2500 miles, including 100 different societies in coastal regions, mountains, pampas and forests. Estimates for the total population under Incan control range between six and nine million.
Known for their unique writing system, intricate road systems, and the world-famous ceremonial centre of Machu Picchu, the Inca also had some fascinating burial customs and a quite incredible ability to build earthquake-proof buildings.
A thousand years ago, the new settlers of a tiny virgin island in the Pacific Ocean called their new home Te Pito o te Henua, meaning “The Navel of the World”. Generations passed, and the inhabitants of what was to be known as Rapa Nui by the locals, built a civilisation capable of carving, raising and transporting hundreds of gigantic monolith statues to create the iconic art we marvel at today. Glyphic writing called roŋo-roŋo evolved. Against the odds, a culture had risen, full of artistic achievements, music and legend.
Eventually, on Sunday 5th April 1722, a Dutch explorer ‘discovered’ the island on his sailing travels, which just so happened to be Easter that year on the Christian calendar, and thus the name Easter Island was bestowed. Later in 1888, to ward off overtures from France, Rapa Nui officially became Chilean, and was thereafter known as Isla de Pascua in Spanish.
Holidays to Peru and Machu Picchu are a great way to see some of the highlights of these ancient worlds. Get in touch to create and book your perfect trip, or call our Travel Specialists on 020 3820 1675.
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