Book

Chavin and the origins of Andean civilization

Thames and Hudson • London • Published In 1992 • Pages:

By: Burger, Richard L..

AbstractBrief abstract written by HRAF anthropologists who have done the subject indexing for the document

This book provides an excellent overview of Chavín culture. Burger begins his book by stating, 'Public architecture and other elements more fully developed in Chavín civilization first appear during the Late Preceramic, and became more numerous during the Initial Period. In fact, many of the traits that Tello believed were diagnostic of Chavín civilization are now known to be much earlier in date. Therefore, in order to trace the genesis of early Peruvian civilization it will be necessary to consider in the chapters that follow the Late Preceramic and the Initial Period, as well as the Early Horizon, before moving on to Chavín itself.' (page 11). However, only the data that pertain to Chavín were indexed for OCM (Outline of Cultural Materials) subjects. Burger describes the evironmental setting for the Peruvian coast, highlands and eastern slopes of the Andes. He then goes on to discuss the beginings of Peruvian civilization (defined as the groups of people able to construct monumental architecture) in the late Preceramic Period. The various societies on the coast and in the highlands are described, especially their public architecture, economies, art, settlement patterns, burials, and interactions (such as trade) between coastal communities and coastal and highland communities. The Inital Period and Early Horizon are described in similar detail. In his description of the Early Horizon, Burger also discusses which societies participated in the Chavín Horizon and which did not. Burger highlights the strictly Peruvian thought patterns and ways of doing things that made Chavín possible (such as the spread of the Chavín cult without the use of proselytizing missionaries). The fall of Chavín is explored along with the changes that entailed. It is suggested that since Chavín was not a strong centralized state it could not maintain long-term stability. The reader should be aware that the end notes were not indexed for OCM subjects. All OCM subjects for the various end notes were added to the appropriate paragraphs in the main text of the book. The paragraphs are hyperlinked to the end notes.

SubjectsDocument-level OCM identifiers given by the anthropology subject indexers at HRAF

Historical reconstruction

Acculturation and culture contact

Cultural participation

Ceramic technology

Lithic industries

Religious and educational structures

Settlement patterns

Utensils

External trade

Visual arts

Spirits and gods

Sacred objects and places

Chronologies and culture sequences

traditionCulture name from the Outline of World Cultures (OWC)

Chavín

HRAF PubDateThe date HRAF published the document

2004

RegionThe area the document pertains to

South America

Sub RegionThe more specific area the document pertains to, which is located within the Region

Central Andes

Document TypeMay include journal articles, essays, collections of essays, monographs, or chapters/parts of monographs

Book

Evaluation

Creator TypeThe type of person writing the document, e.g. Ethnographer, Missionary, Archaeologist, Folklorist, Linguist, Indigenous Person, and so on.

Archaeologist

Document Rating A ranking done by HRAF anthropologists based on the strength of the source material on a scale of 1 to 5, as follows: 1 - poor; 2 - fair; 3 - good, useful data, but not uniformly excellent; 4 - excellent secondary data; 5 - excellent primary data.

4: Excellent Secondary Data

5: Excellent Primary Data

AnalystThe HRAF anthropologist who subject indexed the document and prepared other materials for the eHRAF culture/tradition collection

Sarah Berry ; 2003

Field DateThe date the researcher conducted the fieldwork or archival research that produced the document

1970s and 1980s

Coverage DateThe date or dates that the information in the document pertains to

Late Initial - Early Horizon

Coverage PlaceLocation of the research culture or tradition (often a smaller unit such as a band, community, or archaeological site)

Peru

NotesAdditional notes

Richard L. Burger

Includes bibliographical references (p. 238-244) and index

LCCNLibrary of Congress Control Number

92080337

LCSHLibrary of Congress Subject Headings

Chavín culture