The Incas held a polity called Tiwanaku in high regard that came before them, even though their own empire had more in common with a different state called the Wari empire.

Tiwanaku is super weird btw, it gets called an empire but it doesn't really seem to have much in common with any other empire that comes to mind, including the Incas, there's not much sign that it was a militaristic state and instead it almost comes across as an extremely popular religious centre.

A good video on the subject.