The City of Cusco as it is currently known is the archaeological capital of Peru. And the oldest still inhabited city in South America. In this long valley of more than 15 km, in the last stage of the glacial period of the Pleistocene, it was occupied by a large lake, whose name is from a researcher “Lake Morkill”. The fossils found in various parts of the valley show that it was inhabited by the Plesitocene megafauna, such as Andean horses, giant sloths, mammoths, Paleolamas.
The first appearances of hominids in the Cusco valley date from 8,000 to 10,000 BC. This is how these men become sedentary hunters and gatherers, and then form the first local cultures such as Killque, Chanapata, Qotaqalli, Marcavalles. Between 200 and 500 AD, the Tiahuanaco ethnic group invaded the valley of Cusco, and during 800 AD, this fertile valley was conquered by the Wari empire. Those who make one of the largest constructions of urban settlements and roads in southern Peru, part of that great Wari city is still possible to appreciate in the archaeological site of Pikillaqta. In 1200 possibly the first regional confederations of the Incas appeared, as a local culture, centuries later it would become the largest empire in South America, they made one of the hydraulic wonders still in force until today in Tipon. With the Spanish invasion, the religious congregations imposed their religion, and the construction of the most lavish Catholic temples in architecture and arts, such as the famous Cusco school, many of these artists were the indigenous people who captured their art in the Sistine Chapel of Andahuaylillas.
For all its cultural legacy and picturesque beauty, it is highly recommended to visit these tourist attractions in Cusco.