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Cuzco Information. |
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| Cusco has over 3000 years of history. during these years, there have been many inhabitants in the city. Those years also mean that there are many ruins in and around the city, they show the mixture of cultures; mostly Inca and Spanish. With all of this known it is no surprise that Cusco was named the Cultural Heritage of the Nation |
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| The thousands of years that Cusco has under its belt have been home to about ten different civilizations. Yet, there are two different theories an how the civilizations started. Some believe that "Maracavalle town or the Sawairas, Antasayas and Wallas tribes initially inhabited the [Cusco] valley."(1) The others believe that the Inca mythology is correct, which states "Manko Qhapaq and Pachakuteq founded"(1) Cusco. Neither of these theories have been proven, but are based on the vast amounts of pre-ceramic samples " an approximate age of five-thousand years B.C.". (1) What is known is that in the early years pf 8-- B.C. the Chapanata civilization developed, and during 600 B.C. the Qotakalli civilization was prevalent. As a result from the Wari invasion the "killki regional state was created during 800 A.C., and the Lucro state towards 1000 A.C."(1). During 1200 A.D. the beginning of the Inca civilization grew. Leading to the Inca "expansive phase"(3). The Incas did not have any real large cultural shocks until the Spanish arrived on November 15, 1533, and "Francisco Pissarro re-founded [Cusco] for the Spanish king"(3). The Pissarro made the city of Lima the capital of Peru in 1535, and in 1536 the gory war between the Inca and the Spanish began. this war lasted thirty-seven years, and only ended after the beheading of "Tupaq Amaru, the last emperor of the Inkan dynasrty"(3) in Cusco's main square. Other than a violent earthquake in 1650 the Spanish rule was not interrupted intil 1780 when Tupaq Amaru (the second) rebellion occurred. This is more commonly known by the Spanish name "Jose Gabriel Thupa Amaro Inca"(3). The rebellion was for the freedom of Peru from Spanish rule, but Tupaq Amaruwas betrayed and executed. Again the fighting people where quieted by the Spanish, until 1814/1815, when Mateo Pumakawa began yet another rebellion. Pumakawa like Amaru was defeated and put to death. Lucky for the Peruvian people in 1821 they received their independence from Spain. In conclusion, the city of Cusco has witnessed many cultures begin and end in its many years of history. | ||||||
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With the history of Cusco comes the many places left behind by the historical culture, primarily the Inca and the Spanish. There are places in and near Cusco that show these markings proudly. In Incan culture left about 18 different ruins, save Manchu Picchu, near Cusco. The ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Sabacurinca/Cachimayo, and Coricancha are a few areas that are in Cusco. Firstly, Sacsayhuaman was the protection city of Cusco during the Incan days, it is located on the northern slope of Cusco. Secondly, Sabacurinca/Cachimayo are two astrological towers in Cusco, located in Sabacurinca and Cachimayo. The tower in Sabacurinca is where you would see the sun set, and the tower in Cachimayo is where you would watch the sunrise. Thirdly, Coricancha was a temple dedicated to the Inca's maximum God, Virococha, Huiracocha, or his earthly form of Inti. This shows a few of the Many Inca ruins. | |||||
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Cusco was named the Archeological Capital of South America in 1950, the Cultural heritage of the World in 1978, the Tourist Capital of Peru and the Cultural Patrimony of humanity in 1983, as well as the Historic capital of Peru in 1993, and most recently Manchu Picchu is now one of the Seven Wonders of the World. All of this is no surprise, the 3000 plus years have definitely left a large imprint on the beautiful city of Cusco, which makes it one of the most amazing cultural experiences in the world.
Work Cited. 1. Enjoy Corp., The History of Cusco. 15 Pep. 2007, Sep. 2007 <http://www.cusco-history-cusco-history1.shtml>. 2. Qosqo: Incas sacred capital. 15 Sep. 2007. <http://www.culturefocus.com/peru.htm>.
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