Proto-Quechuan language
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| Proto-Quechuan | |
|---|---|
| Reconstruction of | Quechuan languages |
| Region | Central Peru |
| Era | before 500 BCE |
Proto-Quechuan is the hypothetical proto-language that would have given rise to the various languages of the Quechuan language family. This proto-language is reconstructed based on evidence from modern Quechuan languages, as well as records of ancient forms.
Proto-Quechuan was likely spoken in the central region of ancient Peru according to Alfredo Torero. It then expanded southwards to replace Aymara. At the beginning of the fifth century, the proto-Quechua would have crossed the mountain range to settle in the central highlands (Mantaro Valley), then proto-Aymara-speaking, producing the division between Quechua I (to the east) and Quechua II.[1]