I often asked the inhabitants of these provinces what they knew of their condition before the Incas became the lords. On this subject they say that all men lived without order, and that many went naked like savages; that they had no houses, nor any habitations except the caves, many of which may be seen in the great cliffs and rocks, whence they came forth to eat what they could find in the fields. Others made fortresses in the mountains, called pucara, out of which they came forth, using strange languages, to fight, one with the other, over the cultivable lands, or for other reasons: and many were slain, the spoils and women of the vanquished being carried off. With all these things they went in triumph to the heights, where they had their castles, and there offered up sacrifices to their gods, shedding much blood of men and lambs before the stones and idols. All these people were in a state of anarchy, for they say for certain that they had no lords, but only captains to lead them in their wars. If some went about dressed, it was in slight clothing, and not such as they now use.

They say that the llautu or cords which they put on their heads that one tribe may be distinguished from another, were used then as they are now.

This people living in the condition that I have described, there rose up in the province of the Collao, a very brave lord named Zapana, who so prevailed that he brought many people of that province under his rule.