Given the numerous archeological artifacts found in Huila, it comes as no surprise that prior to the arrival of the Spanish in 1538 there existed a complex and developed indigenous civilization. Between 1000 BC and 1650 AD the Agustinian culture reigned supreme before petering away – though not without a fight - leaving us with famed sites like those in San Agustin today. Tribes such as the Pijao, the Andiquie, the Yalcones, the Paeces and the Tamas all fiercely opposed the conquistadores and made their life and imperial expansion difficult in this region. Neiva was first founded in 1539 by Juan de Cabrera but was subsequently destroyed. Later Juan Alonso founded the city once more on the present day site of Villavieja to the north, though this too was destroyed. Finally, in May of 1612, Diego de Ospina y Medinilla, chancellor of Nueva Granada, founded “Limpia Concepcion del Valle de Neiva,” where Neiva has stood ever since.