Art History of Central America :: essays papers

blind History of central AmericaChavin de Huantar was located in Peru and developed close to 900 B.C. young in the Initial Period. At an elevation of 3,150 m., Chavin de Huantar was situated at the bottom of Cordillera Blancas eastern slopes, approximately halfway between tropical forests and coastal plains. At the intersection of major routes, Chavin de Huantar was in the position to correspond the routes, increase their exchange with others, and receive goods that were not natural to their area. Chavin de Huantar was an agricultural society, denture to a fairly large population.The overage Temple was built during the late Initial Period and it was the join of supernatural power and authority. It was a U-shaped curriculum opening to the east with a circular courtyard in the center. The senescent Temple in like manner consisted of numerous passageways and chambers underground called galleries. These galleries were used for store chambers, religious rites, and possibly tem porary or permanent living for lower-ranking groups working with temple activities. The Lanzon Gallery is located at the very center of the Old Temple. It was where the sculpture of the Lanzon was found. The Lanzon, the supreme deity of Chavin de Huantar, is anthropomorphic. With its feline head and humane body, it has intertwined the feline deity of Chavin de Huantar and the shaman of the pre-Chavin period.For the pre-Chavin period, the object of worship was the feline, but this was stepwise changed. By the time of Chavin de Huantar, it was anthropomorphic. During this time, it was believed that priests could become jaguars and interact with the supernatural forces. This was achieved by victorious hallucinogenic drugs as part of rituals at the Old Temple. at that place are many sculptures that decorate the Old Temple depicting the transformation of the priests. There have been mortars, pestles, conch-shell trumpets, and many other items with anthropomorphic design found and v ista to be associated with Chavin rituals.The New Temple forms a continuum with the Old Temple. The same precept system continues and there is evidence of the same rituals. The New Temple also has galleries and plazas. The Lanzon, although in a different stance, continues to be a symbol of intermediation and harmony. The right hand of the deity holds a Strombus shell, for male forces, and the left hand holds a Spondylus shell, for the female forces. The New Temple, however, did not replace the Old Temple.