Art of Early South America (Before 600 CE)

Earliest Americans

Humans arrived in Americas before 12,500 BCE.

Chavín Culture

Andean religious tradition from 900-200 BCE.

Chavín de Huántar

Temple complex featuring interconnected structures.

Post-and-lintel

Architectural system using horizontal beams.

Ashlar masonry

Stone blocks cut to fit tightly together.

Low relief

Sculptural technique with shallow depth.

Lanzón Sculpture

15 ft stone sculpture central to Chavín.

Iconography

Symbolic representation in art and culture.

Chavín pectoral

Gold ornament depicting birds and jawless beings.

Paracas Weaving

Sophisticated textile art from 200 BCE-200 CE.

Embroidered decoration

Stitching technique used in Paracas textiles.

Nasca Culture

Cultural period from 200 BCE-500 CE.

Flying figure vessel

Ceramic vessel depicting a figure with trophy head.

Nasca lines

Geoglyphs created by removing surface rocks.

Moche Culture

Cultural period from 150-700 CE in Peru.

Portrait vessel

Ceramic depicting individual faces, often rulers.

High relief

Sculptural technique with significant depth.

Moche ear ornament

Gold and turquoise decorative item from tombs.

Tomb of Moche lord

Burial site with elaborate grave goods.

Vessel with pampas cat

Ceramic depicting seated ruler with native cat.

Funerary mantle

Embroidered cloth used in burial practices.

Ritual performances

Ceremonial events often involving elaborate costumes.

Sacrificial knife

Ceremonial blade found in Moche burials.

Caimans

Predatory reptiles symbolizing power in iconography.

Urban societies

Complex communities with specialized crafts.

Trance states

Altered consciousness linked to social prestige.

Astronomical phenomena

Celestial events possibly marked by Nasca lines.