Chavin de Huantar

What does Collectivity mean?

the whole being more important than the individual

What does Reciprocity mean?

one thing benefitting through the actions of another

What is Essence?

the very heart or core of a thing

What is a Huaca in Andean culture?

any sacred place

What is a Camay in Adean culture?

to create or manifest with energy.

What is Anyi in Andean culture

the idea of two coming together to make a whole

What is Tinku in Andean culture?

the convergence of two into a new single thing, like a pathway or something more intangible (an event)

What is Pachakuti in Andean culture?

dramatic upheaval or earthquake leading to a new order

What is Ukhu in Andean culture?

that which is concealed but is also capable of being manifested outwardly

What is Qumpi in Andean culture?

the preciousness or creativity that is lavished on fine & ornate textiles

When were all these sculptures made?

Early Horizon

What was this site called?

Chavin de Huanter

What was this building used for?

as a gathering place for people of the region to come together

and worship

What is the art focused on in this building?

represent shamans in transformation

What Mosna and Wacheqsa meet symbolize?

The concept of forming a Tinku

Why was Chavin de Huntar abandoned?

flattened by a earthquake in 500 CE

What was the old temple called?

El Castillo

What made the oracle “alive”?

Through water drafts and air ducts

The oracle was in actuality a piece of monumental sculpture

called?

The Lanzon for it’s blade like shape

The El Lazon was located within a cruciform gallery representing the four directions what does the Lanzon represent?

a world tree or an Axis Mundi

What does El Lanzon link to?

the rainforest are expressed through the twisted vine-like pattern down the side and back of the Lanzon that resembles the plant that the oral stimulant ayahuasca is made from

What is on the figure forehead to incised the axis Mundi concept?

A tiny cross

What was El Lanzon’s purpose?

serve as the Temple’s oracle

What was the channel used for?

toward the cross caught poured offerings that pooled in the center of its forehead

What did the air ducts and mirrors do on top of the sculpture?

a fragmented, aural component to being faced with the oracle

What was offered to the oracle/El Lanzon?

gold objects and spondylus (spiny oyster) shells

What is this place?

Sunken circular courtyard

What is the Sunken circular courtyard mimicking?

likely mimicking actual processions that took place there

What do the individuals shifting shapes and repeating designs represent?

emphasize ideals of duality and reciprocity

Who is the main subject in this?

Shaman or “cactus bearer” relief

What are both of the figures carrying?

a San Pedro cactus staff (Hallucinogenic) and a conch shell trumpet

What type of hats are they wearing?

hats with jaguar tails

What are the shamans doing in this picture?

shamans Taking part in hallucinogenic rituals and transforming eventually Into the jaguars

What do shamans do during the ritual?

The shamans move collectively in procession around the

sunken circular courtyard, While jaguars proceed under them

Which sides are these patterns located?

Northern and South ends on the plaza

What is the main subject in this?

the lowland Amazonian spotted jaguar, as well as the talons of the harpy eagle

What is happening on the left?

a different type of processional shamanic figure taken from the cornices of the Old Temple/Building A: the Pututu Player

What is he holding?

a spondylus shell (Spiny oyster) carrier,

Why was the oyster a valuable material in MesoAmerica?

signifying richness in its color (ranging from deep red to

orange to a dark purple), social status and power.

What does eating snail symbolize?

a symbol for an omniscient, “all-seeing” being

What is it?

Tenoned Heads in Transformation

What is this supposed to symbolize?

The Black & White portal physically represents the transition

from the Old to the New part of the Temple complex

What is this part of the temple called?

Black and White portal

How did the portal get it’s name from?

the bicolored lintel marking the walkway between the Old Temple and New Temple located in the ceremonial complex

Who are the main subjects in these photos?

Roll-out drawings of two column Avian figures

What makes them avaian?

Both figures have spread wings, profile heads,and have sharp beaks with fanged mouths

What are they holding?

carry a horizontal ceremonial staff

What are the right figure wings made out of?

repeating agnathic (jawless) heads

What makes the figure on the left female?

vagina dentata (vagina with teeth),

What makes the figure on the right male?

a single tooth (phallus) projecting downwards in the center

What do the two figures supposed to represent?

The female represents an eagle while the male represents a hawk

What is happening to them?

They’re transforming into human like poses and animal charcteristics.

What is this called?

Raimondi Stela

Where was it found?

near Chavin de Huantar inside a farmer’s house

Who found it? And when?

Antonio Raimondi in 1874

Who is the main subject on this portrait?

the Staff God

What is his headdress made out of?

a complicated headdress of agnathic jaws, scrolls and snakes

What are the The scrolls and snakes supposed to represent?

Are intended to be read as hair and whiskers

what are the God’s hands and feet are the shape of?

In shape of talons

What is in each hand?

a vegetal staff crowned with what could be corn tassels or stylized San Pedro cacti

What is on their waist?

a twisted snake belt with agnathic face around its waist

What was the Stela a metaphor for?

a "metaphysical device" for the initiated

What happens when you look at it upside down?

the terrifying, frowning deity looking up at the sky transforms into a cascading column of smiling, jovial reptilian faces

When flipped upside down what does it looks like the star god is doing?

The Staff God is descending from the sky