The first inhabitants of the area arrived during the Paleoindian Period (12000-8000 a.C) characterized by hunters of large size animals.
The third population period is the Agro-Potters with: a) the El Molle complex (130 a.C-700 d.C), b) Las Ánimas (800-1000 d.C) and c) Diaguita culture (1000-1536 d.C).
Finally the Incas conquered this territory shortly before the arrival of the Spaniards, which establish their main population center about 5 kilometers away, at the confluence of the rivers Illapel and Choapa, founding the city of Illapel.
The Treaty of Cuz-Cuz, between the liberal and the Conservatives forces that brought an end the Chilean Civil War of 1829 was signed here.
Cuz-Cuz is home to one of the largest concentrations of petroglyphs from the El Molle culture.