When the Spanish conquerors of America arrived at the isthmus of Panama in the early 16th century, they learned from the indigenous peoples about a rich and mythical kingdom they called "El Dorado," where princes lived in cities overflowing with gold. The existence of the mythical El Dorado was never proven, but during their explorations, Europeans discovered the vast Inca Empire and the remnants of other, earlier peoples and cultures.

This book covers the history of the civilizations that flourished and declined in the barren mountainous areas and snow-capped peaks of the Andes from 3000 B.C. to 1533 A.D., when the Inca Empire came to an end. The first chapter chronologically outlines the events and main aspects of the many cultures - Nazca, Moche, Chimú, and others - that have only recently begun to reveal their secrets to the public.

The second chapter discusses the various manifestations of Peruvian art, particularly in textiles and metallurgy, and describes aspects of religion, society, and thought.

The final section of the book serves as a guide to the most important archaeological sites, starting from the oldest unadorned brick pyramids of the coastal ritual centers to the astonishing stone cities of the Incas and the tombs of the Moche discovered by Walter Alva in Lambayeque. There is also a brief mention of the cultures of Bolivia, Ecuador, and Colombia, as well as their relationship with Peruvian culture.