One of the most famous civilisations in South America is none other than that of the famous Pachacutec and the Inca Empire! But let’s not forget to talk about the pre-inca dynasties, who fought more with the natural elements than with real wars. They also laid the foundations of South American culture, the Inca religion, roads and urban administration. Here are the most famous …
The pre-Inca culture : Lima
As the name suggests, it is one of the cultures found around the modern city of Lima and along the Rimac River.
The great ceremonial centre of Huaca Pucllana is located in the centre of Lima, in the district of Miraflores. It is nothing more than a pyramid that is still partially buried today – the donations for its excavation and restoration are too low. – However, this pyramid is an interesting way of learning about the development of civilisations in this region. In fact, it was first used and built in 400 AD. All this with a religious purpose, to carry out the sacrifices of sharks – specific to the god of the sea – and of the woman, often young. It would also contained tombs, which have since been looted. Around 650 A.D, they were replaced by the huaris.
The pre-Inca culture : Huari
Coming from the city of Ayacucho, the cults are those of Andean knowledge. In this sense, the presence of Pachamama, Mother Nature is very strong. The earth and the moon are also represented on their vessels and objects. The Huaris were contemporaries of another civilisation that came from Bolivia, from Lake Titicaca, the Tiwanaku. These two peoples were culturally very close and it seems that they were often at war with each other.
The bureaucratic structure was very advanced for the time. The irrigation system reached to the outskirts of the cities. The various regions had administrative buildings. The first roads crossed their territory. But also the first use of terraces in the mountains.
Much more complete and studied, the Huari civilisation seems to be the closest civilization to that of the Incas, who arrived three centuries later. However, it came to an end and was replaced by the Chimú, the Inca’s greatest enemies.
The pre-Inca culture : Chimú
Often regarded as the successors of the Moche culture, the Chimú extended from the north-east to the valley of Lima. The centralisation of their administration makes the capital, Chan Chan, the arrival point for all raw materials. In this city, all decisions are made by the upper classes and not by a single person.
They left many traces of their craftsmanship in the form of ceramics and utensils made of copper, gold… But also their textiles, generally made of alpaca wool or wild cotton. Intensive agriculture was based on a very complex irrigation system, such as underground networks of aqueducts or water wells.
The Chimú, who worshipped the moon and not the sun like the Incas, were invaded by the Spaniards 50 years before they arrived. And so it was Tupac Yupanqui who conquered their empire around 1470.