Nazca Culture

The Nazca Culture emerged during the Early Intermediate Period (100 B.C. to 650 A.D.) and was centered in the Ica and Nazca valleys of south coastal Peru. Polychrome pottery has been found at settlements from Acarí to Chincha, and even as far away as the Moquegua Valley to the far south, and the Carhuarazo Valley to the east in the highlands of Ayacucho.

Nazca culture developed out of cultural traditions from the Ica and Pisco valleys during the Early Horizon (800 BC–AD 1).

The name Nazca was applied as early as 1912 by Thomas Joyce who, along with others, believed the Río Grande de Nasca drainage to be the center of this civilization.

The Nazca culture of the Early Intermediate Period is further subdivided into three periods: Early Nazca (AD 1–450), Middle Nazca (AD 450–550), and Late Nazca (AD 550–750).

The Nazca culture is noted for its distinctive pottery and textiles. Nazca is merely a continuation of Paracas Culture (900-200 BC) including the same religious tradition, weaving technology, and general way of life.

Around 200 B.C. the Paracas people began experimenting with a new type of pottery decoration called slip painting. During Early Nazca a new polychrome ceramic tradition developed and was widespread over the South Coast of Peru. The large ceremonial center of Cahuachi was also established in this period, and there was a proliferation in construction of the Nazca lines.

Through time the Nazca Culture continued to evolve and develop its own distinctive character, but its roots in the Paracas tradition have been clearly established.
Nazca Culture