1400 - 1600 A.D.
Norther Andes
Growing populations keep living in villages. Class distinctions are between chiefs and their families, chiefs of lower rank, and commoners. Artisans, religious specialists, merchants, and warriors are form a different class. The Inka of Peru extend their empire into Ecuador, establishing administrative centers in the highlands, but do not succeed in conquering the coast. Ceramics for ritual and burial continue. Large quantities of ceramic as well as textile production is widespread. Tumbaga, a gold-copper alloy, and semi-precious stones are commonly used luxury items.
After 1500, the Spaniards, sailing the Caribbean and Pacific coasts of Colombia, establish the coastal towns of Santa Marta and Cartagena. Anticipating prodigious amounts of gold and other treasure. The conquest of Colombia and Ecuador is accomplished. Few battles take place as Europe wasn’t in good shape to go into war. Although Europe wasn’t successful the colonials rule and forced conversion to Catholicism, cutting indigenous traditions. There were new art schools established, instructing native artists in European aesthetics and culture. Indigenous painters and sculptors alike work from European models such as imported prints. New native interpretations include details of local flora, fauna, landscape, and dress.
After 1500, the Spaniards, sailing the Caribbean and Pacific coasts of Colombia, establish the coastal towns of Santa Marta and Cartagena. Anticipating prodigious amounts of gold and other treasure. The conquest of Colombia and Ecuador is accomplished. Few battles take place as Europe wasn’t in good shape to go into war. Although Europe wasn’t successful the colonials rule and forced conversion to Catholicism, cutting indigenous traditions. There were new art schools established, instructing native artists in European aesthetics and culture. Indigenous painters and sculptors alike work from European models such as imported prints. New native interpretations include details of local flora, fauna, landscape, and dress.
Central and Southern Andes (Inka)
By the mid-fifteenth century, the Inka people dominate the Cuzco valley. They create the largest empire in the Precolumbian world, from northern Ecuador to central Chile. Sophisticated engineering projects such as, roads, irrigation systems, and agricultural terraces; political, economic, and social mechanisms are used. Many conquered regions are ruled locally under Inka supervision. The Inka solar cult becomes the state religion. In art and architecture, a homogeneous imperial Inka style is introduced throughout the realm. Coexisting with local traditions, the style is characterized by: simple and elegant forms, balanced proportions, and abstract geometric designs executed with superb craftsmanship.
In 1520s the Inka empire is weakened by a battle for succession when Spanish invaders arrive in Peru. Francisco Pizarro, conquer Tawantinsuyu in 1534. Decades of destruction, intense rivalry among colonialists, and resistance by the Indians follow. After almost fifty years European institutions have largely replaced indigenous ones. After the conquering, the clergy stablished the Catholic faith, replacing the Indians' believes. Conquerers were attracted by the amount of gold and silver south america had. They found new cities with markets, Catholic churches and monasteries, and elegant mansions for the new elite. The Spaniards bring with them European artworks, particularly paintings, prints, and sculptures. Art is produced primarily for the Catholic church and wealthy European patrons.
In 1520s the Inka empire is weakened by a battle for succession when Spanish invaders arrive in Peru. Francisco Pizarro, conquer Tawantinsuyu in 1534. Decades of destruction, intense rivalry among colonialists, and resistance by the Indians follow. After almost fifty years European institutions have largely replaced indigenous ones. After the conquering, the clergy stablished the Catholic faith, replacing the Indians' believes. Conquerers were attracted by the amount of gold and silver south america had. They found new cities with markets, Catholic churches and monasteries, and elegant mansions for the new elite. The Spaniards bring with them European artworks, particularly paintings, prints, and sculptures. Art is produced primarily for the Catholic church and wealthy European patrons.
Cuzco
In Peru the pre-Conquest peoples of the Andes believed that the Milky Way was the celestial river leading to the sky-world. At Cuzco, the administrative capital of the Inka Empire, the rebirth of the sun was celebrated at the time of the winter solstice. Here was to be found the sacred river known as the Vilcanota, seen as a terrestrial representation of the Milky Way. Cuzco was seen by the Incas as the centre of the world.
The city of Cusco, it is said, was built in the shape of a puma lying down. Saqsaywaman was the head of the puma,and the zigzag walls were the teeth. The spine and tail of the puma are represented by the Tullumayu and Huatanay rivers, which flow into the Vilcanota river.
Plan of Cusco as a Puma, a.c. 1440
City of Cusco, Central Highlands, Peru source: http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/ciencia/ciencia_cygnus02.htm
The city of Cusco, it is said, was built in the shape of a puma lying down. Saqsaywaman was the head of the puma,and the zigzag walls were the teeth. The spine and tail of the puma are represented by the Tullumayu and Huatanay rivers, which flow into the Vilcanota river.
Plan of Cusco as a Puma, a.c. 1440
City of Cusco, Central Highlands, Peru source: http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/ciencia/ciencia_cygnus02.htm
The famous Sun Temple of Qosqo was built based on Inkas' architecture and religion. It is said that it represents the "Navel of the World". According to history, it was the first Inka, Manko Qhapaq who built the original temple. But, it was the ninth, Pachakuteq who since 1438 reconstructed, enlarged, improved and modernized the most important religious complex of the vast Inkan Society.
Qorikancha (Golden Enclosure or Main Sun Temple) a.c. 1440
Inka, Santo Doming, Peru
Church or Convent of Santo Domingo source: http://www.peru-explorer.com/cusco/korikancha_information.htm
Qorikancha (Golden Enclosure or Main Sun Temple) a.c. 1440
Inka, Santo Doming, Peru
Church or Convent of Santo Domingo source: http://www.peru-explorer.com/cusco/korikancha_information.htm
The way the Inkas' built the city of Cusco in the shape of a puma was by creating three levels of enormous zig-zag stone walls. Saqsaywaman is usually described as a fortress because it is practically enclosed by three slopes. However, it might algo be the surrounding of the Sun Temple. Many Inca walls have representations of animals carved in the stone. The largest carved boulder of the first wall weighs about 70 tons and was brought from a quarry about three kilometers away.
Walls at Saqsa Waman, a.c.1440
Inka, Cusco, Peru
Granite
Source: http://www.auburnbirdbanding.org/mpch11.htm
Walls at Saqsa Waman, a.c.1440
Inka, Cusco, Peru
Granite
Source: http://www.auburnbirdbanding.org/mpch11.htm
Maize Cob, 1438-1534
Inka; Peru
Metal sheet (silver and gold alloys) L 8.875" x W 4.50"
Machu Picchu
The Inca royal estate of Machu Picchu is situated on a high mountain ridge between two prominent peaks at an elevation of 2,438 m. The site lies near the headwaters of the Amazon River, at long. This Inca site lies within the Eastern Cordillera between the High Plateau and Subandine zones of the Peruvian Andes. This 250-million-year-old intrusion is white to gray-colored granite, characterized by its abundance of quartz, feldspar, and mica. This mineralogical composition made the granite of Machu Picchu a durable construction material. The most significant geologic characteristics of the Machu Picchu site are the numerous faults and abundant rock fractures. This block, or graben, is the structure on which the ancient Inca people built their city. The Machu Picchu Fault influences the location at which the Machu Picchu spring emerges. The system providesa perennial water source to the Inca people. The Machu Picchu fault system is also responsible for much of the topographic relief in the vicinity of the mountain sanctuary. The orientation of the fault system can be identified by aligning the near-vertical northwestern face of Machu Picchu with the linear reaches of the nearby Urubamba River along the southeastern flank of Putucusi.
Clothing
Inca officials wore stylized tunics that indicated their status. Cloth was divided into three classes. Awaska was used for household. Finer cloth was calledqunpi and was divided into two classes. The first, woven by male qunpikamayuq , was collected as tribute and was used for trade, to adorn rulers, and to be given as gifts to political allies. The other class of qunpi ranked highest. It was woven by aqlla (female virgins of the sun god temple) used for royal and religious use.
In conquered regions, traditional clothing continued to be worn, but the finest weavers, were transferred to Cusco and kept there to weave qunpi.
The wearing of jewelry was not uniform throughout the empire. Chimú artisans, for example, continued to wear earrings after their integration into the empire, but in many other regions, only local leaders wore them.
Inca tunic. It has been suggested that, if deciphered, such a tunic may contain an Incan writing system.
Royal Tapestry Tunic; 1424-1453
Inka, Peru
textile, camelid fiber and cotton;
source ://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Inca_Civilization
Inca officials wore stylized tunics that indicated their status. Cloth was divided into three classes. Awaska was used for household. Finer cloth was calledqunpi and was divided into two classes. The first, woven by male qunpikamayuq , was collected as tribute and was used for trade, to adorn rulers, and to be given as gifts to political allies. The other class of qunpi ranked highest. It was woven by aqlla (female virgins of the sun god temple) used for royal and religious use.
In conquered regions, traditional clothing continued to be worn, but the finest weavers, were transferred to Cusco and kept there to weave qunpi.
The wearing of jewelry was not uniform throughout the empire. Chimú artisans, for example, continued to wear earrings after their integration into the empire, but in many other regions, only local leaders wore them.
Inca tunic. It has been suggested that, if deciphered, such a tunic may contain an Incan writing system.
Royal Tapestry Tunic; 1424-1453
Inka, Peru
textile, camelid fiber and cotton;
source ://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Inca_Civilization