Passion for History
Here is a basic overview of the history of Peru. It can be used to give you a perspective of things.
A Basic Chronology
20,000-10,000 BC
First evidence of human settlement in Peru. Cave dwellings in the Ayacucho Valley; stone artifacts in the Chillon Valley.
8000-5000 BC
Nomadic tribes , and more permanent settlement in fertile coastal areas. Cave paintings and fine stone tools.
5000-2000 BC
Introduction of cultivation and stable settlements. Early agricultural sites include Huaca Prieta in the Chicama Valley, Paracas and Kotosh.
1200 BC-200 AD
Formative Era and emergence of the Chavín Culture , with great progresses in ceramics and metallurgy. Temple complex at Chavín de Huantar, important sites too at Kotosh and Sechin.
300 AD
Technological advance marked above all in the Viru Valley - the Gallinazo culture - and at Paracas.
Sites in the Viru Valley, at Paracas, and the growth of Tiahuanaco Culture around Lake Titicaca.
200-1100 AD
Classical Cultures emergent throughout the land. Mochica culture and Temples of the Sun and Moon near Trujillo; further Tiahuanaco development; Nazca lines and Cahuachi complex on the coast; Wilkawain temple; Huari complex; and Tantamayo ruins.
1200
The age of the great city builders . Well-preserved adobe settlements survive at Chan Chan (near Trujillo) and Cajamarquilla (Lima).
1438-1532
Expansion of the Inca Empire from its bases around Cusco, north into Ecuador and south into Chile. Inca sites survive throughout Peru, but the greatest are still around Cusco - Sacsayhuaman and Machu Picchu above all. Inca Highway constructed from Columbia to Chile; parts still in existence.
1535
Foundation of Lima. Colonial architecture draws heavily on Spanish influences, though native craftsmen also leave their mark. Church building above all at Arequipa (Santa Catalina Convent) and around Cusco. The Spanish city of Cusco incorporates much Inca stonework. Meanwhile, the rebel Incas build new cities around Vilcabamba. Throughout colonial rule building follows European fashions, especially into Baroque; churches, mansions and a few public buildings.
1870
Construction of the high-altitude rail lines and other engineering projects. First exploitation of Amazonian rubber .
1890-1930
Much modernization in Lima ( the Presidential Palace etc), grandiose public buildings elsewhere. Massive urban growth in Lima from the 1930s onwards.
1960's
Organized shanty towns begin to grow around Lima.
1980
Development of the jungle - timber trade, oil companies and settlers threaten traditional tribal life and ecology.
1990's
During the 1990's, Peru, under Fujimori, has virtually eliminated terrorism, and made steady improvements in the infrastructure. Peru started to become more of a tourist destination. Tourism has continued to grow, and more and more areas are becoming accesible, with international quality hotels etc.
