Month: July 2018

LIMA, The Exploration Begins

Itchyma, Limaq, Lima

Lima is a great place to start your Peruvian adventure.  If you start here, make sure to schedule plenty of time to visit the museums and explore the history of Lima, and the area. This provides a great base of knowledge to build upon as you explore the rest of the country.

The skyline when looking up from Parque de la Muralla, Lima.

In an earlier posting I mentioned that most folks, when hearing, “Peru,”  respond with “Inca!” However, at least 10 documented civilizations occupied Peru prior to the Inca. With evidence of these cultures dating back to at least 2,000 BCE.

Silver Chimu ceremonial mask and earrings.
The Chimu peoples were highly skilled artisans and considered premier metalworkers. (Larco Museum/Museo Larco)

The ancient Peruvian civilizations most often referenced in the museums are Chavin, Paracas, Nasca, Huari-Tiahuanaco, Moches, and, finally Inca.

Moche portrait vessel.
Example of Moche (culture) portrait vessel. [Larco Museum/Museo Larco]
In addition to the Inca, the Chavin and the Huari-Tiahuanaco also achieved pan-Andean empires.

This is a vibrant example of Paracas weaving capabilities. (National Museum of Archeology, Anthropology and History of Peru/Museo Nacional de Arqueologia, Antropologia e Historia del Peru (MNAAHP))

Use Frommers.com  to start your research on the impressive accomplishments of these ancient Peruvian civilizations.

All this talk of history makes me think I should share a little of what I learned about Lima both before and during the trip.

So here we go….just in case you’re curious!

Continue reading “LIMA, The Exploration Begins”