Main Location in Puno: The archaeological remains were found in the Valley of Cusco. Present-day Distric of Wanchaq, Province and Region of Cusco.

Beginning of presence in the area: The Marcavalle people started as an organized society after congregating local farmers.

Main Survival Activities: Agriculture based on the production of potatoes, quinoa, and corn. It is believed that they were also Andean live stock farmers domesticating alpacas and llamas.

Political Organization: It is believed that this was a theocratic society which adored felines, snakes, and birds.

Decay of Marcavalle: Unknown.

Highlights:

• Little is known about this civilization, but it is believed that the Marcavalle people formed the pillars for the next civilizations which settled in the Valley of Cusco.
• In 2014, a burial site was found containing five individuals with several pieces of ceramic, textiles, and tools. These human and other remains will help scientists to understand how the people of Marcavalle lived.

Main Location in Cusco: Starting in what is now the Region of Ayacucho, the Wari people expanded their territory to Cusco and other areas in Peru. In Cusco, their main site (Pikillacta) was located about 30 Km south of Cusco.

Beginning of Presence in the Area: It is believed that the Wari arrived and conquered the Region of Cusco around 750 AD.

Main Survival Activities: Agriculture, handcrafting (ceramics and sculptures), construction and urbanism, and goldsmithing.

Political Organization: The Wari people lived in a tyrannical militarized empire with its center in Ayacucho. The Region of Cusco was conquered and therefore ruled by them.

Decay of the Wari Culture in Cusco: An economic crisis hit the empire, causing the Wari to lose power in the Region of Cusco. Local ethnic groups took over and regained control of their lands.

Highlights:

• Cusco was probably one of the most important regions for the Wari outside their capital in Ayacucho. The reason behind this was the construction of Pikillacta, the biggest administrative center outside Ayacucho.
• The Wari civilization coexisted with the Tiahuanaco civilization. Cusco was on the border of the area of influence of the Tiahuanaco people. Their ceramic and textile practices influenced other contemporary civilizations on the coast and in northern Peru, mainly the Inca.
• The Wari venerated Wiracocha (the maker - "el hacedor"). This religion was also practiced by the Incas.

Main Location in Cusco: It is believed that the Incas first settled in the surroundings of the Huanacaure Mountain in Cusco, and from there they moved to what currently is downtown Cusco.

Beginning of Presence in the Area: It is believed that people from south of Cusco (Puno Region) arrived in Cusco around 1200 AD and settled in this area due to the mandate of the Sun (the most important deity for the Incas) . At that moment, the first known Inca king, Manco Capac, started what would later become the largest ancient empire in the Americas.

Main Survival Activities: Agriculture, construction, live stocking, mining, handcrafting (textiles & ceramics), fishing, warring and soldiering, and several public servant positions such as messenger runners, supervisors, teachers, governors, among others.

Political Organization: The Inca Empire was ruled by an Inca king who claimed to be the son of the Sun (most important deity for the Incas). Below him were in order: his heir, known as "Auqui," who was not necessarily his oldest son or even his son; the Imperial Board of Counselors (4 members) known as Tahuantinsuyo Camachic; the Imperial Public Servants, known as Apunchic, who governed the provinces; and the towns' Chie! Commanders, known as "Curacas."

Decay of the Inca Empire in Cusco: Several factors contributed to the decay of the empire, such as illnesses brought by the Spaniards and the civil war between the Inca kings Huascar (ruling in the south) and Atahualpa (ruling in the north) . Once Atahualpa was captured and assassinated in Cajamarca in 1532 AD, the destruction of the empire was almost complete. Cusco was conquered in 1534, when the new king Manco Inca capitulated.

Highlights:

• The Inca people, also known as the Quechua people, arrived in Cusco around 1200 AD, but the Inca Empire didn't materialize untilthe l400s, when Inca Pachacutec (aka Inca Yupanqui) was recognized as the new king a ter defeating the Chanca people.
• The Incas were able to control vast territories (all of Peru and parts of Bolivia, Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, and Colombia) due to a well-designed road system known as Qhapaq Ñon and a powerful political organization.
• The Wari and Tiahuanaco cultures greatly influenced the Incas. This influence can be observed in the religious beliefs, agriculture based on well-designed irrigation systems, textiles, ceramics,war tactics, among others.
• The Incas reached an incredible level of construction where the walls were made out of enormous stones perfectly put together without the use of cement or mud to join them. The joints are so tight that not even a piece of paper can be slipped between the stones. Examples that best represent this skill can be observed in Cusco and mainly in the Qoricancha Temple and the Citadel of Machu Picchu.

Main Location in Cusco: The City of Cusco was the capital of the Inca Empire and it continued to be the capital of the Region once Francisco Pizarro and his Spanish army arrived there and declared the city to be part of the Kingdom of Spain.

Beginning of Presence in the Area: Francisco Pizarro first arrived in Cusco by the end of 1533, when Inca Manco Capac capitulated. There after the City of Cusco was officially established as a Spanish city.

Main Survival Activities: The Spaniards based their economy on mining, agriculture, live stock, and  commerce.

Political Organization: Cusco was ruled by the viceroy of the viceroyalty of Peru, who ruled through the "Teniente Gobernador" and other subjects of the Kingdom of Spain.

Decay of the Viceroyalty: The freedom of Peru was declared in the Main Square of Lima in 1821, and with this Cusco also gained its freedom.

Highlights:

• The arrival of the Spaniards brought destruction to Cusco, but it also brought all the knowledge obtained by Western Civilization. (Spain became the most powerful kingdom of the world at that time.) The encounter of two rich and different cultures gave birth to an incredibly rich new culture, and the best of it was materialized in the City of Cusco.
• The first University of Cusco (San Antonio Abad) was founded in 1692 with the approval of Pope Inocencio XII and ratified by the king of Spain, Carlos II, the same year.
• Several churches and monasteries were founded in Cusco. These places became real museums where the best of the School of Art of Cusco and western art were combined. These Colonial jewels of art and architecture can be visited nowadays.
• Downtown Cusco is a beautiful combination of Colonial Baroque architecture and Inca buildings. This unique style resulted in its addition to the World Heritage List of the UNESCO in 1984.
• Cusco was the center of native resistance against Spanish rule. Tupac Amaru I and Tupac Amaru II started two revolutionary movements at different stages, but both of them were captured and executed.

Capital: The capital of the Department (later on Region of Cusco) was the City of Cusco.

Role of Cusco During the First 100 Years: The Region of Cusco suffered a great depression after the country gained its independence. The majority of its population lived in poverty, and it wasn't until the re-discovery of Machu Picchu 191 l that the region gained popularity and recovered some of its glory.

Cusco's Economy: The economy of Cusco was based on agriculture and mainly on the exportation of products such as coffee, tea, corn, and native tubers. The construction of the railroad to Cusco in 1908 didn't relieve the weak economy of the region.

Cusco's Culture: The San Antonio Abad University and local schools provided education to locals and natives of nearby regions such as Puno and Apurimac.

Cusco's Art: The Region of Cusco was an important art center during the Republic due to the importance of the School of Arts, well known around South America. The native folklore and customs of the region were maintained and practiced during all local festivities.

Highlights:

• Cusco lost its glory and importance during the first 90 years of the Republic. Cusco became merely an agricultural region, and the poverty rate increased significantly.
• The re-discovery of Machu Picchu helped the region to gain popularity, but in economic terms it didn't help locals to improve their lives.
• The School of Art maintained its recognition among South Americans, and local folklore and customs were still practiced.
• The historical treasures inherited from the Incas were forgotten, and many of them were not valued.

Capital: The City of Cusco continued to be the capital of the department and later of the Region of Cusco.

Role of Cusco in the Last 94 Years: The Region of Cusco started to regain its glory, and Cusco started to become popular among Peruvians and foreigners. Several universities around the world focused their research in Cusco and the Inca culture. This placed Cusco at another level, turning it into the cosmopolitan city that it is today.

Cusco's Economy: The economy of Cusco has improved considerably in the last 20 years; however, a third of the population still lives in poverty. The economy of Cusco is no longer based exclusively on agriculture. Nowadays, the tourism industry, mining, natural gas, and construction are the main sources of income for the region.

Cusco's Culture: The City of Cusco is cosmopolitan, where people from all over the world have settled or come to the city to learn local customs, history, and Spanish. This has brought higher levels of education and nowadays the city boasts four universities (three of which are private) and several private schools with high levels of  education.

Cusco's Art: The Region of Cusco continues to be an important art center due to the importance of the School of Arts, which attracts students from all over the world. The native folklore and customs of the region are practiced during all local festivities. The most important festivity is the Inti Raymi (Festival of the Sun), which is a remembrance of the festival practiced by the Incas during the winter solstice.

Highlights:

• The Region of Cusco is visited by thousands of travelers every day, and the city is well prepared to provide the quality service that the traveler is looking for.
• The Inca Trail and Machu Picchu are the most popular attractions in Cusco and Peru. The number of visitors per day to these two attractions is limited to 500 and 2,500 respectively.
• Cusco is a city filled with activities, and there is not enough time to engage in all of them. Just a walk around downtown and San Blas is a joy but very time consuming due to the endless options.
• Cusco is also a city with an exciting nightlife and an exquisite cuisine. Travelers will enjoy both of them wherever they go. The closer the place is to the Main Square of Cusco, the more expensive it will be.
• Excursions outside Machu Picchu and Cusco City should be planned since there are exciting attractions all over the Region of Cusco. The Urubamba Valley is one that must be added to the list.