According to priest Pío Aza, the name of Madre de Dios comes from a legend in Paucartambo (Cusco) regarding the image of Virgin Mary, found on one of the riversides of that department.
According to some investigations, the first inhabitants were Arahuaco, no less that 4000 years old.
These inhabitants practiced a tribal culture, based on fishing, hunting, and, agriculture.
Most likely, the Ashaninkas and Amueshas are their descendants.

This region was not conquered by the Spaniards, but, they extracted resources such as: wood, gold, coca, fruit, and, medicinal plants.