Precolumbian Art of South America
before 600 A.D.

DatesPeriodCulturesSites
1000 - 200 bcEarly HorizonChavinChavin
200 bc - 600 adEarly IntermediateMoche (100bc-700ad)
Nazca
Sipan
Nazca
600 - 1000 ad Middle Horizon Huari Huari, Tiahuanaco
1000 - 1400 adLate Intermediate Chimu Chan Chan
1400 - 1532 adLate HorizonIncaMachu Picchu, Cuzco


See also: South American Resource Page.
Note: "Nasca" is an alternate spelling for "Nazca."

Early Period South America - Web Resources
The Burial Theme in Moche Iconography. Christopher B. Donnan and Donna McClelland
Chavin Culture. Wikipedia
Exploring Chavin de Huantar. Stanford University
Grim Rites of the Moche. Colleen P. Popson
Moche Collection. Art Institute of Chicago
Nazca Collection. Art Institute of Chicago
Nazca Culture. Wikipedia
Nazca Lines and Cahuachi Culture. Ellie Crystal
The Moche Capital of Sipan. K. Kris Hirst
Moche Culture. Wikipedia
Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum Photo Gallery
Tombs of the Lords of Sipan. Current World Archaeology
Understanding Chavin and the Origins of Andean Civilization. James Q. Jacobs

Early Period South America - Image Links (click inside)

1. Early Horizon
Mask
Paracas
800bc-100bc
Feline
Paracas
700bc-1ad
Feline
Tembladera
9-5c bc
Stirrup Spout
Cupisnique
500bc-200bc
Gold Plaque
Chavín
500bc-200bc

2. Nazca
Gold Mask
100bc-700ad
Nude Female
100bc-700ad
Inlaid Shell
100bc-700ad
Spatula
100bc-700ad
Birds
150ad-300ad
Effigy Vessel
100bc-600ad
Fisherman
400-550ad
Seated Man
550-900
Severed Head
100ad-350
Mythical Being
date not given
Mythical Being
350-450
Oculate Being
400-1000
Ceramic Drum
1c AD
Dog Effigy
200bc-600ad
Bird Effigy
date not given
Hummingbirds
400-1000
Abstract Heads
100bc-700ad

3. Moche
Portrait Head
200-550
Portrait Head
400-600
Head With Fangs
400-550
Head With Feline
400ad
Lobsters
400-550
Hunting Scene
date not given
Kneeling Warrior
date not given
Seated Male
500ad
Frog
50ad-800
Ear Spools
3c-7c

[last updated: August 22, 2013]


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