Tracing the Storied Historical Journey of Peru
Peru, a South American gem with a population of 33 million, is steeped in a history that dates back several millennia. This country shares borders with Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, and Chile and is home to the oldest known city in the Americas, Huaricanga.
At the dawn of history, Peru was a cradle of civilization. The Norte Chico civilization, noted for its development of cities and monuments without the benefit of pottery, thrived here. Unfortunately, the advancement in irrigation technologies might have precipitated their downfall. The innovative Kotosh period saw the inception of pottery for the first time as smaller settlements burgeoned into larger metropolises during the Chavin culture. This era was characterized by advances in metallurgy and agricultural technology, with the cultivation of potatoes, quinoa, and corn leading to a population explosion.
Remarkably, three centers of power—Lima, Moche, and Nazca—emerged to challenge the status quo. The city-state of Wari dominated the Peruvian coast, while Tiwanaku united the estranged city-states of the highland lakes. However, both empires declined swiftly around the year 1000.
Then came the era of the Inca. The city-state of Cuzco, founded by the Inca people, gradually expanded its territory while the city prospered. The Chanka, a neighboring tribe challenging Cuzco, was decisively defeated by Pachacuti, who subsequently ascended as the ninth Sapa Inca. His rule triggered a series of conquests transforming the kingdom into an empire, a vision diligently pursued by his successors, Túpac and Wayna Qhapaq.
The prosperous Inca empire was, however, battered by a strange disease brought by the Spanish conquistadors. The efficient Inca road system facilitated the rapid spread of diseases like smallpox, measles, typhus, influenza, and diphtheria. This biological blow was followed by the Ginástera civil war, lasting three years and further crippling the empire. The Spanish invader, Francisco Pizarro González, was the final nail in the coffin of the Inca empire.
The Spanish, thereafter, assumed control over the vast Inca territories. Despite a hefty ransom – a room full of gold and silver – paid in exchange for Atahualpa, the last Inca emperor, he was ruthlessly executed by Pizarro. The conquest took nearly forty years but once complete, it brought devastating consequences, with an estimated 95% of the Inca population perishing within a decade and a half due to armed conflicts and diseases. In their stead, the Spaniards established the Viceroyalty of Peru in 1542, with its capital in Lima. The discovery of silver in the mountain of Potosí was a financial boon for the Spanish Empire, as the city contributed over 60% of the world's silver production for over a century.
The history of Peru includes periods of rapid urban growth, rebellions, independence movements, wars, and internal conflicts. Following the decline of silver production, Peru’s prosperity dwindled. It was only after a war of independence, and a short-lived united state with Bolivia, that Peru emerged as an independent entity. Peru was embroiled in several wars and border conflicts during the 19th and 20th centuries and was even governed by a military junta during the Cold War era.
In recent years, however, Peru has seen a marked reduction in conflict, an improved economy, and enhanced living standards. Stability has also allowed for the growth of archaeology, giving us a richer understanding of pre-Inca civilizations. Modern Peru is taking steps to acknowledge its storied past, as evidenced by the documentary 'Lord of Sipan', which vividly portrays life in the Moche civilization.
The evolution of Peru's history makes it a rich tapestry of human civilization, and the country's journey from ancient states to vibrant modernity is a testament to the resilience of the Peruvian people. From the forward-thinking Norte Chico to the powerful Inca, and through the colonial Spanish era to its present independent status, the historical journey of Peru continues to captivate us all.
