Andes, South America

In South America, the greatest concentration of cultural development occurred along the western edge of the continent. This geographic area is often referred to as the Andes, and distinctive cultural characteristics include: 1) the preservation of fragile materials—textiles, wood, and feathers—through burial or storage in one of the world’s driest deserts; 2) art styles that relied on materials and themes from diverse and geographically distant environments including the coast, highlands, and tropical forests; 3) the importance of camelid species (llama, alpaca, guanaco, and vicuña); 4) an early mastery of working precious metals (gold, silver, and copper); and 5) a system of recording information using knotted cords or strings. The countries of Colombia and Ecuador are often described as the Northern Andes with shared influences extending from the Central Andes, especially under the Inca Empire, during the Late Horizon (1400-1532 CE).

In the Andes, there was no recognizable writing system prior to the Spanish arrival in the 16th century. Contemporary understanding about pre-Hispanic Andean cultures thus derives principally from three approaches: archaeology, material analysis, and ethnohistory. While ethno-historical sources (such as Spanish chronicles) offer insight about cultures at the Spanish conquest from a colonial perspective, archaeological and visual analyses engage the material evidence of pre-Hispanic cultures. Scientific excavation of these archaeological contexts is thus fundamental to advancing our understanding, providing information on object associations, ritual practices, and lifeways (diet, hygiene, migrations). Nothing can replace contextual information once lost through looting and destruction of ancient sites. Building on available archaeological research, material and visual analyses can offer further information about cultural artifacts. That is, an object may convey information about its medium (cotton, bronze), production (cast, woven), function (weapon, headgear), and cultural period (form, technique), as well as clues regarding its creator, owner, audience, and significance. As the artworks demonstrate, such analyses may elucidate rather complex cultural interactions. Through stewardship of cultural arts, museums perform a crucial role in such analyses, supporting field research and public awareness. The Andes today draw visitors from around the globe, defining a region replete with visible cultural heritage, ritual traditions, and artistic production.

SET OPERATOR AS OR

apply to OBJECTS where culture contains Chancay AND department_id equals 8

apply to OBJECTS where culture contains Chavín AND department_id equals 8

apply to OBJECTS where culture contains Chimú AND department_id equals 8

apply to OBJECTS where culture contains Chincha AND department_id equals 8

apply to OBJECTS where culture contains Chongoyape AND department_id equals 8

apply to OBJECTS where culture contains Cupisnique AND department_id equals 8

apply to OBJECTS where culture contains Gallinazo-Viru AND department_id equals 8

apply to OBJECTS where culture contains Huari AND department_id equals 8

apply to OBJECTS where culture contains Ica AND department_id equals 8

apply to OBJECTS where culture contains Inca AND department_id equals 8

apply to OBJECTS where culture contains Inka AND department_id equals 8

apply to OBJECTS where culture contains Moche AND department_id equals 8

apply to OBJECTS where culture contains Nasca AND department_id equals 8

apply to OBJECTS where culture contains Nazca AND department_id equals 8

apply to OBJECTS where culture contains Nieveria AND department_id equals 8

apply to OBJECTS where culture contains Paracas AND department_id equals 8

apply to OBJECTS where culture contains Recuay AND department_id equals 8

apply to OBJECTS where culture contains Salinar AND department_id equals 8

apply to OBJECTS where culture contains Lambayeque AND department_id equals 8

apply to OBJECTS where culture contains Tembladera AND department_id equals 8

apply to OBJECTS where culture contains Tiwanaku AND department_id equals 8

apply to OBJECTS where culture contains Tiahuanaco AND department_id equals 8

apply to OBJECTS where culture contains Vicus AND department_id equals 8

apply to OBJECTS where culture contains Viru AND department_id equals 8

apply to OBJECTS where culture contains Wari AND department_id equals 8

apply to OBJECTS where number equals 1976.W.1771

apply to OBJECTS where number equals 1976.W.1772

apply to OBJECTS where number equals 1976.W.1773

apply to OBJECTS where number equals 1976.W.1774

apply to OBJECTS where number equals 1989.W.2436

apply to OBJECTS where number equals 1989.W.2479

apply to OBJECTS where number equals 1989.W.2429

apply to OBJECTS where number equals 1989.W.2256

apply to OBJECTS where number equals 1989.W.2431

apply to OBJECTS where number equals 1991.380

apply to OBJECTS where number equals 1983.W.1128

apply to OBJECTS where number equals 1990.149.FA

apply to OBJECTS where number equals 1975.61

apply to OBJECTS where number equals 1983.W.2168

apply to OBJECTS where number equals 1983.W.2167

apply to OBJECTS where number equals 1989.W.2349

apply to OBJECTS where number equals 1989.W.2390

apply to OBJECTS where number equals 1989.W.2418

apply to OBJECTS where number equals 1989.W.2431

apply to OBJECTS where number equals 1991.380

apply to OBJECTS where number equals 1983.W.1128

apply to OBJECTS where number equals 2003.28

apply to OBJECTS where number equals 2006.27

apply to OBJECTS where number equals 1989.W.2433

apply to OBJECTS where number equals 2005.32

apply to OBJECTS where number equals 1983.W.2229

apply to OBJECTS where number equals 1994.281

apply to OBJECTS where number equals 1983.W.1815

apply to OBJECTS where number equals 1983.W.1818

apply to OBJECTS where number equals 1983.W.1821

apply to OBJECTS where number equals 1983.W.1809

apply to OBJECTS where number equals 1983.W.1812.A–B

apply to OBJECTS where number equals 1983.W.1812.a-b

apply to OBJECTS where number equals 1983.W.1835

apply to OBJECTS where number equals 1983.W.1839

apply to OBJECTS where number equals 1983.637

apply to OBJECTS where number equals 1983.638

apply to OBJECTS where number equals 1976.W.1849

apply to OBJECTS where number equals 1976.W.1850

apply to OBJECTS where number equals 1983.W.1853

apply to OBJECTS where number equals 1976.W.1851

apply to OBJECTS where number equals 1983.W.1854

apply to OBJECTS where number equals 1983.W.1855

apply to OBJECTS where number equals 1983.W.1856

apply to OBJECTS where number equals 1983.W.1857

apply to OBJECTS where number equals 1983.W.1858

apply to OBJECTS where number equals 1990.149.FA

apply to OBJECTS where number equals 1991.373

apply to OBJECTS where number equals 1952.43.22

apply to OBJECTS where number equals 1983.W.1927

apply to OBJECTS where number equals S.1980.6

apply to OBJECTS where number equals 1989.W.2364

apply to OBJECTS where number equals 1976.W.487