Pre-Inca Culture (300 BC - 1,000 EC): their main cultural center was established on the valley of Nazca in the department of Ica; they dominated the valleys of Chincha, Pisco, Ica and Nazca.

Their economic activity was based on agriculture, trade and fishing. In agriculture they achieved a high development, skilled manufacturers of hydraulic works, underground aqueducts, artificial watering systems, reservoirs that are still well preserved and in daily use.

Outstanding as ceramic painters, weavers, city architects and builders as well as astronomical cycle observers. The maximum cultural expressions of this old civilization are the famous Nazca Lines.

Their textile art reached a high development, however, they did not reach the high level of the Paracas Culture. They buried their dead wrapped in mantles, with a conical bale shape.

Their ceramic used up to 11 colors, globular ribs of 2 peaks, united by a handle with the shape of a bridge, plates, cups, pots, with animal drawings, geometric shapes, and scenes of daily life. The ceramic in its first stage had inspiration in nature, figures of animals and vegetables. The second stage was based on abstract figures. The third stage was the multiplication of the abstract motives with complicated geometric and mythological figures with a detail. Gold and copper were also used.

They lived in populated centers, with great sense urban design, being their main cultural center the citadel of Cahuachi, built in adobe (bricks made with clay), ceremonial pyramids. Next to this town were also discovered (1980) a group of lines traced on the floor in form of trapezes and serpentines that embrace 1 square km.

Museums
To appreciate their invaluable ceramic pieces, textile and funeral bales you can go to the Archaeological Museum of Peru, Larco Herrera, or Museo de la Nación in the city Lima.