lecture recording on 06 February 2025 at 14.46.21 PM

Overview of the Andean Region

• Location: West Side of South America, including modern-day Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina.

• Themes:

  • Military power and warfare.

  • Ritual sacrifice practices.

  • Diverse climates and elevations influencing resource utilization.

Early Andean Cultures

Moche and Chavin Cultures

• Moche Culture: Circles highlighted on the map, notable for early monumental architecture in the Americas.

• Chavin (Chavin de Huantar):

  • Built monumental structures around 3000-2000 BCE using rammed earth techniques, which involves compressing damp earth into a solid form.

  • Development of ceremonial buildings:

    • U-shaped structures developed across different climatic zones, indicating shared religious traditions.

Chavin de Huantar Temple

• A significant pilgrimage site with rich symbolism spread across the Andean region of the Americas.

• Artistic style known as Shavin, influencing later Andean art.

• Temple Architecture:

  • Constructed using post and lintel techniques, not rammed earth.

  • Included sculptures of supernatural beings that served as guardians.

  • The temple's universal design made it recognizable to pilgrims from various regions.

Iconography and Rituals

• Lanzon Sculpture:

  • Central to the temple's purpose, depicting a fanged supernatural figure combining human and animal traits (snakes, caimans, jaguars).

  • Represents both Andean and Amazonian predator symbols, merging earthly and watery powers.

• Artistic features:

  • Gold work techniques involving hammering to create raised designs, including bird motifs representing sky.

The Paracas Culture

• Resided in small villages located in coastal Peru, primarily focused on weaving.

• Paracas Funerary Mantle:

  • Richly embroidered textiles survived due to the dry desert climate, showcasing their weaving skills.

• Weaving techniques highlighted:

  • Labor-intensive processes, often involving local plants or animal fibers for dyes.

  • Weaving central to artistic ideals, closely linked to geometric designs in multiple art forms.

Transition to Nazca Culture

• Nazca Culture (200 BC - 500 AD):

  • Emerged from the Chavin and Paracas cultures, developing larger hierarchical groups led by chiefs.

  • Notable for artistic representations related to warfare and power influences.

• Nazca Art:

  • Flying Figure Vessel: Depicts a horizontal figure holding a decapitated head, emphasizing themes of trophy-taking in rituals.

  • Polychrome pottery characterized by vibrant colors and detailed depictions.

The Moche Culture (100 - 700 AD)

• Known for highly detailed naturalistic ceramics, unlike other Andean cultures.

• Moche Ceramics:

  • Examples often depict individual portraits, with elaborate headdresses indicating social or divine status.

  • Use of molds allowed for mass production of vessel types, often found in elite burials.

• Ceremonial Contexts:

  • Depictions of sacrifice within Moche art, highlighting the practice of offering healthy, brave individuals in rituals.

Tiwanaku Culture

• Located at high elevations, contemporaneous with Moche and Nazca cultures.

• Tiwanaku Art:

  • Distinct focus on stone masonry with repeating motifs and deity representations.

  • Gateway of the Sun: A ceremonial entrance embodying themes from earlier Andean traditions, with a prominent central figure holding sacred objects.

Conclusion and Next Steps

• Reflect on themes of architecture and art in relation to centralized power.

• Prepare artworks to discuss in the next class that resonate with discussed themes.