Pre-Columbian Cultures of Peru

Apuntes

Study Guide Precolumbian History and Spanish Conquest Contents Right-click the table of contents and select "Update Field" to refresh page numbers 1. Chavin, Nazca and Moche Cultures 1.1 Chavin Culture 1.2 Nazca Culture 1.3 Moche Culture 2. The Mita System 3. The Inca Society 4. The Conquest of the Aztecs 5. The Conquest of the Incas 1. Chavin, Nazca and Moche Cultures 4 1. Chavin, Nazca and Moche Cultures The pre-Columbian cultures of ancient Peru developed extraordinary civilizations that left an impressive legacy in art, architecture, agriculture, and social organization. These cultures flourished in different regions and periods, laying the foundations for the later development of the Inca Empire. 1.1 Chavin Culture (900 B.C. - 200 B.C.) Geographic Location The Chavin culture developed in the northern highlands of Peru, specifically in the Conchucos Valley region, in the department of Ancash. Its main ceremonial center was the Chavin de Huantar Archaeological Complex, located at 3,177 meters above sea level, at the confluence of the Mosna and Huachecsa rivers. Social Organization Chavin society was organized in a theocratic manner, that is, governed by priests. The priests play...