Chavin (Archaeological Site)
(1985)
Peru
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The archaeological site of Chavin gave its name to the culture that developed between 1500 and 300 B.C. in this high valley of the Peruvian Andes. This former place of worship is one of the earliest and best-known pre-Columbian sites. Its appearance is striking, with the complex of terraces and squares, surrounded by structures of dressed stone, and the mainly zoomorphic ornamentation.
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Chavín de Huantar, archaeological site located near the Callejón de Huaylas in the mountains of northern Peru; its name was given to the Chavín Native American culture (circa 900-200 bc).
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Peru 1988. Vase from Chavin.
Peru 1963. Semi-postal air post. Chavin Griffin.
Peru 1974. Air post. Ancash Stone in Chavin.
| The ruins at Chavín are of a temple complex consisting of several rectangular stone structures with interior rooms and passageways.
They are decorated with bas-reliefs depicting fantastic and grotesque human and animal figures, one of which is known as the Lanzon, or “Smiling God.” Buildings and artifacts in the same style have been found at various other sites in northern Peru, indicating that Chavín de Huántar was a center of a religious cult that extended over the whole area, uniting previously isolated communities.
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Sources and links:
Other World Cultural Heritage Properties in Peru (on this web site). Please refer to the UNESCO-listing, Peru-section. for more information about the individual properties.
Revised 03 aug 2006 |
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