1000-200 BC Early Horizon

During this period certain cultures in the Andes region rose to prominence and established themselves as influential centres of trade and religious cults and art styles that were exported to neighbouring areas. One of the most important of these was Chavín de Huántar.

These centres developed distinctive architecture – large stone or adobe (mud brick) monuments incorporating U-shaped platforms and sunken courtyards used for religious or social gatherings. Major religious icons were fierce, fanged felines (cat-like beings) and deities combining human and animal attributes. These appear on Chavín-style monuments, pottery and textiles. Research suggests that these images were inspired by the jaguars, birds, snakes and fish that inhabited the forests, mountains and rivers. A deep knowledge of these environments led to certain plants being used for their medicinal properties, and to exotic materials including obsidian (volcanic glass) and marine shell being traded over long distances.

During this period crafts such as pottery, metalwork, and in particular textiles decorated with these images were exported from Chavín de Huántar. These goods reached distant communities who in turn adopted them or adapted them for their own religious and social purposes. This helped spread Chavín religion across an extremely wide area.