ANDEAN CULTURES

Chavín de Huántar

The first great art style of the geographicalarea that is now Peru was that of thecivilization that flourished at Chavín deHuántar in the northern highlands. A moreor less contemporaneous culture of thenorth coast produced a style of potteryknown as Cupisnique.

Chavín de Huántar Textile

Nacional de Anthropologia y Arqueologia, Lima

Paracas

After the Chavín style declined in power,other regional styles developed. Paracas,and later Nasca, emerged on the SouthCoast while the Moche developed on theNorth Coast.

Mantle fragment with Falcon Impersonators

Nacional de Anthropologia y Arqueologia, Lima

Nasca

The Nasca culture flourished thoughoutseveral river valleys on the South Coast ofPeru, south of the Paracas, from 100 BC toAD 600. the Nasca lived in a looselyorganized group of villages or clans, with aceremonial center at Cahuachi. Nascaemerged from the Paracas traditions, butdeveloped its own artistic vision.

Nasca Vessel

Nacional de Anthropologia y Arqueologia, Lima

Moche

The Moche culture dominated the areafrom the Lambayeque to Huamey Valleysfor the first 500 years AD. As the Mochestate expanded to the south, theyconquered additional valleys to acquirelevel land for cultivation and to gain controlover the irrigation water from themountain rivers.

Moche Portrait Head Vessel

The Art Institute, Chicago

Tiwanaku and Wari

The Tiwanaku and Wari styles share acommon religious background and a similariconography, though the two states werenot geographically close. Wari originatedon the Central Peruvian highlands andTiwanaku near the shores of Lake Titicacain what is now Bolivia.

Beaker (Kero) Modeled Feline Head

TiwanakuMuseo de Metales Preciosos Precolombinos, La

Paz

Wari Vessel

National Museum of Archaeology and History,Lima

Chancay

The Chancay culture extended over fourvalleys—Chillon, Huara, Rimac andChancay—on Peru’s Central Coast, nearmodern Lima. The region was comprisedof peaceful farming and merchantcommunities. Ancient net-makingtraditions of coastal fishermen developedinto the delicate openwork technique.

Chancay Falsehead TextileNacional de Anthropologia y Arqueologia, Lima

Chimu

The kingdom of Chimor (now calledChimu), with its capital city of Chan Chan,once extended along the entire NorthCoast of Peru and much of the CentralCoast, down to the current location ofLima. Although the Incas conquered theChimu in the 1400s, their style continueduntil the Spanish invasion.

Chimu Textile

Nacional de Anthropologia y Arqueologia, Lima