Ancon-Supe was one of the most ancient civilizations of pre-Columbian Peru. Located north of the city of Lima, near the Peruvian coast, its surroundings influenced the way of life of its inhabitants whose main occupation was fishing. The German archeologist Max Uhle who led excavations in the area in 1904, called it the most ancient civilization in Peru; an opinion which would later be corroborated by the famed Peruvian researcher Julio C. Tello (1880-1947).

Located in the central Andes (in the Ancash department of the Wari region), the civilization known as Chavin de Huantar was another of the great cultures of ancient Peru. Its legacy is primarily constituted by architectural remains (labyrinthine subterranean galleries) as well as delicate metal-smithing and fine textiles. Scholars such as Julio C. Tello identify this civilization as the source of all later Andean civilizations. It developed between the years 900 and 200 B.C.

In the south, specifically in the highlands area between Peru and Bolivia, the Tiawanaku civilization was the most important. This remarkable pre-Columbian civilization, which arose on the banks of lake Titicaca, developed in two phases. The first period spans from 300 to 900 A.D. and the second one from 900 to 1200 A.D. Its importance is such that Tiawanaku is the principal reference to the study of all other Andean cultures. Because of this, ancient Andean civilizations are classified into pre-Tiawanaku, Tiawanaku and post-Tiawanaku.

Originated during the pre-Tiawanaku period, the Mochica culture developed in the northern valleys of Chicama, Moche and Virú (northern coast of the department of La Libertad, in Trujillo). The Mochica mastered exquisite skills in the detailed elaboration of anthropomorphic icons and ritual representations made in both ceramic and metal. Another one of their legacies are their mud shrines: monumental, pyramid-like, terraced constructions. The Mochica were fishermen, farmers and fierce warriors.

Another culture which flourished in the northern Peruvian coast (in the Pisco, Ica and Nazca valleys) was that of the Nazca, whose pottery achieved a remarkable development. Many scholars affirm that this culture is responsible for the well-known Nazca lines, gigantic outlines and drawings of animals on the sand that can only be seen from great heights. Because of these mysterious drawings the Nazca are perceived as having attained superior knowledge in astronomy.

Conversely to all others, the Tiawanaku civilization –located on the southern bank of lake Titicaca—was not an urban center but a religious center where all the inhabitants of the surrounding areas converged during religious pilgrimages. They are specially notable because of the enormous stone blocks they carved to build their temples. The Tiawanaku’s native language Aymara, continued to expand and even survived the imposition of Quechua during the Inca period. Their most dedicated researcher is Arturo Posnansky.

The Chimú flourished during the Tiawanaku period (900-1200 A.D.). Their most important legacies include the Fort at Paramonga, and the citadels at Chan Chan (in the Moche valley), El Purgatorio (Lambayeque) and Pacatmanú (in Pacasmayo).

During the same era, two great kingdoms rose in the central coast: Cuismancu (near Lima, in the Lurín and Chancay districts) and Chuquimancu (Mala, Chilca and Cañete). On the boundary of these two contiguous kingdoms was Pachacamac, the shrine dedicated to the Creator, which the Inca would later adore and assimilate into their mythology.

© 2001 The National Foreign Language Center at the University of Maryland.
All rights reserved.
Last update: May 29, 2007.
E-mail us questions, comments and suggestions.