Chavin culture
From Freepedia
Image:Chavin-small.png The Chavín were an early civilization that existed in what is now the country of Peru. This Early Horizon civilization is believed to have developed c. 900 BCE and died out c. 300 BCE. The Chavíns laid the cultural foundation for the other Peruvian civilizations to come.
Archaeological finds from the Chavín period include textiles, metalwork, pottery and religious artifacts. The most well-known archaeological ruin of the Chavín era is Chavin de Huantar, located in the Andean highlands north of Lima. It is believed to have been built c. 900 BCE.
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Achievements
Their metallurgy, soldering, and temperature control methods were advanced for their time. They also had a knowledge of textiles that allowed them to revolutionize cloth production.
The Chavín established a trade network and developed agriculture by 900 BCE, according to some estimates and archeological finds. No form of writing has been discovered, however.
Art
The Chavín archeologial pieces display abstract designs unlike the Moche. The designs are similar to Olmec designs, possibly suggesting a tangental Olmec influence.
Religion
We are quite sure the Chavíns had some sort of religious belief because many religious artifacts have been excavated. They may have used hallucinogens because small mortars, possibly used to grind vilca (a hallucinogenic snuff), have been uncovered, along with bone tubes and spoons decorated with wild animals which we associate with shamanistic transformations.
The Chavin cult promoted fertility and abundant harvests. The deities were represented in stone carvings as features of humans and wild animals such as jaguars, hawks, eagles, and snakes. Its role in politics was extremely significant. Chavin cult first stimulated the use of techniques of producing elaborate cotton textiles, the manufacture of large, light, and strong fishing nets from cotton string, and the discovery of techniques of gold, silver, and copper metallurgy. These economic advancements led to the building of ceremonial centers and cities. It is possible that priests were part of the Chavin cult. However, priestly CLASSES probably weren’t present, since complex societies and cities began to arrive only AFTER the disappearance of the Chavin cult. Followers of the Chavin may have sacrificed animals and such to please the gods for abundance in harvest
See also
External links
- Peru Cultural website (in Spanish)
- Understanding Chavín and the Origins of Andean Civilization
- Minnesota State Unversity emuseum
- Chavin Project with a bibliography and external links
