Amazonas before the Inca Empire facts for kids
The Amazonas Department in Peru is a cool place in the western part of the Amazon basin. It holds secrets from people who lived there long before the famous Inca Empire. Digging up old buildings shows us that cultures like the Chachapoya and the Wari were here way before the Incas took over.
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Ancient Times in Amazonas
Who Lived in Amazonas Long Ago?
We know people lived in Amazonas a very long time ago because of amazing rock paintings. You can find these ancient artworks on rocky walls in places like Chiñuña-Yamón and Limones-Calpón. Both are in the Utcubamba province. Some of these pictures were made by people who hunted for their food. This was about six to seven thousand years ago!
Early Pottery in Amazonas
Later, as Peruvian civilization grew, people started making ceramic (pottery). A special kind of pottery has been found mostly in the Bagua Province. This shows us how early people developed new skills.
Historic Cultures of Amazonas
The Powerful Wari Empire
The Wari (also called Huari) were a very important culture. They lived in the southern part of what is now the Amazonas Department of Peru. They were here from about 500 AD to 1000 AD. That's about 500 years before the Incan Empire even began!
Like the Incas, the Wari expanded their lands. They controlled more areas than their neighbors to the south, like the Moche and Chimú. The Wari are thought to be the first to use terrace agriculture. This is a farming system where you build flat steps on hillsides. It was perfect for Peru's mountains and later changed farming in Europe.
Wari Buildings and Discoveries
We can still see remains of Wari buildings today. These show us they were in Peru before the Incas. One big site is the Wari Complex. It covers about 988 acres and might have been home to 40,000 people! This huge site is near the city of Ayacucho. It has underground tunnels, mausoleums (special tombs) for human remains, and even tables used for studying the stars.
Mysterious Chachapoya Structures
There are also many amazing buildings left by the Chachapoya culture. Some of these include Kuelap, Gran Vilaya, Cerro Olán, Purum Llaqta, Cheto, and Gran Pajatén. All these structures seem connected in some way. However, we don't know exactly how old they are or in what order they were built. They remain a fascinating mystery!
