Many cave paintings are tens of thousands of years old. Purpose of these paintings remains unclear. Many caves remain well-preserved due to underground environment. Some caves closed due to visitor damage
Inca people arrived in Cusco valley around 1100. Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui became ninth emperor in 1438. Empire stretched from Colombia to Chile, ruled over 12 million people. Topa Inca Yupanqui expanded empire most significantly in 1471
First hominids emerged in Africa 0.5-1.8 million years ago. Modern humans (Homo sapiens) appeared in East Africa 300,000-250,000 years ago. Earliest pottery invented in Africa around 9,400 BC. Iron metallurgy developed independently in West Africa by 2,000 BC
Finger-counting and tally marks were used for counting before 40,000 years ago. Lebombo bone (42,000 years ago) shows possible lunar phase counting. Ishango bone (25,000 years ago) contains tally marks with mathematical patterns
Canopic jars were used to store soul's viscera during mummification. Early jars were made from stone, later from wood. Height ranged from 14 to 50 cm, diameter from 6 to 20 cm. Name possibly derived from Greek legend of Canopus or Egyptian Canopus
Inca civilization emerged in Peruvian highlands around 12th century. Empire called Tawantinsuyu, meaning "land of four parts". Pachacuti established empire in 1438, expanding to modern-day Peru. Empire included modern-day Peru, western Ecuador, Bolivia, Argentina, Colombia, and Chile