Long before the Inca established their empire, starting as early as 8000 BC, Peru was home to many different cultures -- the Huaca Prieto, Supe, Salinar, Nasca, Moche, Huari, and Chachapoyas, to name just a few. Before we explored the fascinating museums in Cusco, Lima (and later, in Lambayeque), we had no clue these cultures existed. Early peoples were building huge adobe pyramids; drawing pictures of helmeted people and fantastic animals in the desert visible only from yet-to-be-invented airplanes; burying emperors in tombs filled with intricate gold armor and treasures; and, starting in 2000 BC, over four thousand years ago, hand building unbelievably beautiful ceramics.

We fell in love with this pottery. How can they possibly be so old? The perfectly sculpted llama drinking cups above, for instance, date from the Huari period (800 - 1300 AD); the cactus pot on the right is not from the 60's pop art movement, it's from the Moche culture (1 - 800 AD); and the strange little creature pot on the left, is from the Salinar culture, dating from 1250 - 1 BC. Unbelievable!