The Incas were a pre-Columbian civilization that flourished in the Andes region of South America from the 12th to 16th centuries. They were the largest empire in the Americas before the arrival of Europeans and their legacy is still seen today in the form of ruins, artifacts, and cultural practices. The Incas were the most powerful group in the region and their influence extended throughout much of Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Chile, and Argentina. Bygone Peruvians refers to the people of the Inca Empire who lived during this period.