Peru is home to several ancient indigenous cultures, the most notable of which is the Inca Empire. The Incas, who thrived from the early 15th century until the Spanish conquest in the 16th century, built a vast empire that stretched across the Andean region of South America.
Besides the Inca, other significant cultures preceded them, such as the Moche, Nazca, and Tiwanaku. The Moche civilization, for instance, known for its impressive adobe pyramids and intricate pottery, flourished along the northern coast of Peru from approximately 100 to 800 AD. The Nazca, famous for the Nazca Lines—large geoglyphs etched into the desert—lived in the southern coast region around 200 BC to 600 AD. Tiwanaku, located near Lake Titicaca, was another influential culture that developed from 300 to 1000 AD, known for its advanced agricultural techniques and monumental architecture.
Each of these cultures contributed to the rich tapestry of Peru’s history, leaving behind archaeological treasures that offer insight into their ways of life and belief systems. Today, their descendants still inhabit the region, preserving aspects of their ancient traditions and languages.