The first inhabitants of the area arrived during the Paleoindian Period (12000-8000 a.C) characterized by hunters of large size animals. Archeological digs for this periods have been found in the Quereo site. The second period is the Archaic (8000 -200 a.C) with a population of hunters and gatherers. The third population period is the Agro-Potters with: a) the El Molle complex (130 a.C-700 d.C), b) Las Ánimas (800-1000 d.C) and c) Diaguita culture (1000-1536 d.C). Finally the Incas conquered this territory shortly before the arrival of the Spaniards, which establish their main population center about 5 kilometers away, at the confluence of the rivers Illapel and Choapa, founding the city of Illapel.
