Ancient Andes

Colorful geometric textile pattern with red, beige, green, and blue motifs.

Monumental geoglyphs, ancient cities, beautiful textiles, and masterful stonework—dive into the history of the Ancient Andes

What is the ancient Andes?

The ancient Andes refers to Indigenous societies that flourished in the region of the Andes Mountain range, including parts of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina

Timeline diagram of Peruvian cultures, from Prehistoric to Early Intermediate periods. Includes Caral, Cupisnique, Chavín, and Nazca cultures.
Timeline of historical periods: Middle Horizon (600–1000 CE, Tiwanaku), Late Intermediate (1000–1476 CE, Chimú), Late Horizon (1476–1534 CE, Inka), Colonial/Viceregal (1534–1820 CE, Viceroyalty of Peru).

Early Andes

Get to know the vibrant ancient cultures that flourished in the early Andes during the prehistoric, Formative, and Early Horizon periods

The Prehistoric Period

Includes periods often referred to as the Lithic and Preceramic

Ancient handprint cave art on a rock wall.

The Formative, Early Horizon, and Early Intermediate Periods

c. 1800 BCE–600 BCE

Many cultures, from Chavín to the Nazca, flourished during this time

Chavín

c. 1200–200 BCE

Chavín culture developed in the northern Andean highlands of Peru, and the site of Chavín de Huántar was an important pilgrimage destination

A hammered gold plaque showing a complicated pattern revealing a figure holding staffs

Paracas

c. 700–200 BCE

Paracas culture thrived on the arid southern coast of Peru, where incredible textiles have survived in tombs

Illustration with ancient artifacts and the text 'Coming Soon'

Nazca

c. 200 BCE–600 CE

Overlapping for a period with the earlier Paracas culture, Nazca likewise Paracas culture thrived on the arid southern coast of Peru where they produced colorful ceramics and the massive geoglyphs known as the Nazca Lines

the form a hummingbird is etched into the surface of the Nazca Desert
Monkey nazca line geoglyph
Illustration of ancient artifacts, including a column, face, shell, and helmet, with the text 'Coming Soon' in the center on a blue and green background.

Later Andes (Middle Horizon, Late Intermediate, and Late Horizon)

c. 600–1534 CE

Get to know the cultures of later periods in the Andes during the Middle Horizon, Late Intermediate, and Late Horizon periods

The Inka

The Inka (Inca) civilization had advanced engineering, monumental architecture at places like Machu Picchu, and sophisticated systems for agriculture and governance.

A small gold figurine of a llama on display.

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