View source for Chavín de Huántar

{{Short description|Archaeological site in Peru}}
{{about|the archaeological site|the nation|Chavín culture|the modern district|Chavín de Huantar District|other uses|Chavin (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox ancient site
 |name = Chavín de Huántar
 |image = Chavín de Huántar - 51149086708.jpg
 |alt = 
 |caption = Overview of Chavín de Huántar
 |map_type = Peru
 |map_size = 
 |relief = yes
 |map_alt = Map showing location of Chavín de Huántar in Peru
 |coordinates = {{wikidataCoord||format=dms|dim:1km|display=it}}
 |location = [[Ancash Region]], [[Peru]]
 |region = 
 |type = 
 |part_of = 
 |length = 
 |width = 
 |area = 
 |height = {{convert|3180|m}}
 |builder = 
 |material = 
 |built = Before 1200 BC; {{age in years|-1200}} years ago
 |abandoned = 
 |epochs = 
 |cultures = [[Chavín culture]]
 |dependency_of = 
 |occupants = 
 |event = 
 |excavations = 
 |archaeologists = 
 |condition = 
 |ownership = 
 |management = 
 |public_access = 
 |website = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} -->
 |notes = {{Infobox UNESCO World Heritage Site
| child         = yes
| official_name = Chavín (Archaeological Site)
| criteria      = {{UNESCO WHS type|(iii)}}(iii)
| ID            = 330
| year          = 1985
| area          = {{convert|14.79|ha|acre sqft|abbr=on}}
}}
}}
'''Chavín de Huántar''' is an [[archaeological site]] in [[Peru]], containing ruins and artifacts constructed as early as 1200 BC, and occupied until around 400–500 BC by the [[Chavín culture|Chavín]], a major pre-[[Inca]] culture. The site is located in the [[Ancash Region]], {{convert|434
|km|sp=us}} north of [[Lima]], at an elevation of {{convert|3180|m|sp=us}}, east of the [[Cordillera Blanca]] at the start of the [[Conchucos Valley]].

Chavín de Huántar has been designated as a [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]]. Some of the Chavín relics from this archaeological site are on display in the [[Museo de la Nación]] in Lima and the [[Museo Nacional de Chavín]] in Chavín itself.

Occupation at Chavín de Huántar has been [[radio carbon dating|carbon-dated]] to at least 3000 BC, with ceremonial center activity occurring primarily toward the end of the second millennium, and through the middle of the first millennium BC. While the fairly large population was based on an agricultural economy, the city's location at the headwaters of the [[Marañón River]], between the coast and the jungle, made it an ideal location for the dissemination and collection of both ideas and material goods. This archaeological site is a large ceremonial center that has revealed a great deal about the Chavín culture. Chavín de Huántar served as a gathering place for people of the region to come together and worship.{{sfn|Burger|2008|pp=681–706}} The transformation of the center into a valley-dominating monument made it a pan-regional place of importance.  People went to Chavín de Huántar as a center: to attend and participate in rituals, consult an oracle, or enter a cult.{{sfn|Kembel|Rick|2004}}

Findings at Chavín de Huántar indicate that social instability and upheaval began to occur between 500 and 300 BC, at the same time that the larger Chavín culture began to decline.  Large ceremonial sites were abandoned, some unfinished, and were replaced by villages and agricultural land. At Chavín de Huántar, no later than 500 BC, a small village replaced the Circular Plaza.  The plaza was occupied by a succession of cultural groups, and residents salvaged building stones and stone carvings to use in house walls.  Multiple occupation floors indicate the village was continuously occupied through the 1940s.
[[Image:chavin-small.png|thumb|250px|The area of the Chavín and site of Chavín de Huántar]]

== Toponymy ==
The name ''Chavín'' derives from the [[Quechuan languages|Quechua]] term ''chawpi[n]'', meaning "center" or "middle", and the Quechua term ''waantar'', which refers to an [[Andes|Andean]] plant classified as ''[[Cortaderia|Cortaderia rudiuscula]]'' Stapf. Indeed, the archaeological site is situated at the angle formed by the confluence of the Mosna and Huachejsa rivers, adjacent to the small Andean town of the same name.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Tauro del Pino |first=Alberto |date=1980-12-30 |title=Incorporación del académico Don Alberto Tauro del Pino: (Sesión pública del 28 de agosto de 1989) Concepto del Perú |url=https://doi.org/10.46744/bapl.198001.003 |journal=Boletín de la Academia Peruana de la Lengua |pages=15–42 |doi=10.46744/bapl.198001.003 |issn=2708-2644|doi-access=free }}</ref>[[Image:chavin-small.png|thumb|250px|The area of the Chavín and site of Chavín de Huántar]]

==Site description==
The Chavín civilization was centered on the site of Chavín de Huántar, the religious center of the Chavín people and the political capital. The temple is a massive [[Frustum|flat-topped pyramid]] surrounded by lower platforms. It is a U-shaped plaza with a sunken circular court in the center. The inside of the temple walls are decorated with sculptures and carvings. During its heyday, Chavín de Huántar was used as a religious center for ceremonies and events, perhaps a home for an oracle.  The site contains a number of major structures, including Temples A, B, C and D, and areas and buildings designated as the Major Plaza, the Circular Plaza, the Old Temple and New Temple. But the latter two designations are no longer accurate in light of recent research advances.

Chavín de Huántar was constructed over many stages starting prior to 1200 BC, with most major construction over by 750 BC. The site continued in use as a ceremonial center until around 500 BC, but its primary religious function had ceased prior to 400 BC. The site was increasingly occupied by casual residents of the highly distinct [[Huaraz]] cultural tradition.

[[Image:Chavin circular plaza cyark.jpg|thumb|left|250px|The Circular Plaza at Chavín in 2005.]]
[[Image:Chavin lanzon stela cyark.jpg|thumb|left|250px|The Lanzón Stela at Chavín, still image from a video of a photo-textured [[point cloud]] using [[3D scanner|laser scan]] data collected by nonprofit [[CyArk]].]]

[[Image:Estela.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Detail of the stone engraving known as the Raimondi Stela, probably from the site of Chavín de Huántar.]]
The "Circular Plaza" appears to have been a sacred and ritually important, open-air space within a ceremonial center. Prior to 800–700 BC, this location had a number of functions, including serving as an [[Atrium (architecture)|atrium]] for entering Temple A through the temple's north staircase.

The plaza in the classic period, after 700 BC, is bounded on three sides by major Temples A, B, and C. The plaza is perfectly circular and is close to {{convert|20|m}} in diameter, with a floor consisted of pillow-shaped pavers of yellow [[diatomite]]. It appears that a center line of black limestone blocks runs on its architectural east-west axis. Walls of the plaza were constructed of cut stone, principally granite, laid in [[course (architecture)|course]]s of varying width. The two broadest courses were carved in arcs closest to the western staircase and in two pairs of terminal stones flanking the eastern staircase.
 
The "Old Temple", dating from the site's early history, was an inward-facing structure composed primarily of passageways built around a circular courtyard.  The structure contained obelisks and stone monuments with relief carvings depicting [[jaguar]]s, [[caiman]]s, and other forms with anthropomorphic features. The Lanzón Gallery, located at the very center, contained a sculpture of the [[Lanzón]], which is assumed to be a supreme deity of Chavín de Huántar. The figure is anthropomorphic, with a feline head and human body.  Mortars, pestles, conch-shell trumpets, and many other items have also been found. Many of these artifacts have an anthropomorphic design or decoration and are thought to be associated with Chavín rituals.
  
The "New Temple", constructed between 500 and 200 BC, is also based on a gallery and plaza design and contained many relief sculptures.  The Lanzon deity is shown here, holding a [[strombus]] shell in the right hand, while the left hand holds a ''[[Spondylus]]'' shell, considered to have sacred properties.

The architectural design of Chavín de Huántar changed over time as an old temple development was added to with a new temple. Changes were more complex than in one stage of renovation. Smaller renovations happened consistently over the Chavín horizon, ending by about 500 BC, when the new temple was completed.  With the simpler design of the old temple, Chavín de Huántar followed the U-shaped ceremonial center design accompanied by a sunken circular plaza that was typical of many coastal settlements in the Early Horizon period.{{sfn|Kembel|Rick|2004}}

After the new temple was complete, Chavín de Huántar still embodied a U-shaped ceremonial center design.  The renovations enlarged the site considerably and added a larger, sunken rectangular plaza. The main objective of the renovations appears to have been to enable more people to gather in one place, as the site in general expanded.{{sfn|Burger|2008|pp=681–706}}

Excavation of burial sites has given evidence of a small elite class, whose tombs contained elaborate burial goods, consisting of precious metals, colorful [[textiles]], and other valuables. Most burials were simpler, with bodies interred in shallow pits, dressed in cotton clothing and accompanied by a simple tool kit.

Local style in art and decoration included scrolls, simple curves, straight lines, and images of wild animals. Chavín sculpture is usually of white [[granite]] and black [[limestone]]. Carved stone [[mortar and pestle|mortars and pestles]], conch-shell trumpets, bone tubes and spatulas, and metal spatulas and spoons were found decorated in Chavín style, as were various textiles including [[tapestries]]. [[Pottery]] was found in a wide variety of forms, including bottles and bowls, decorated with a wider range of distinctive elements.

==Social Structure==
In Chavin de Huantar the surrounding city and rural areas around the ceremonial centers show social inequalities. More gold jewelry, well-made ceramics, and higher-quality meals are available in the town east of the temple than in the village to the west. Investigations done by archaeologists show that people on both sides of the river were artists who created jewelry and other items carved out of bone. Spondylus shells, known for being precious goods at the time, were made into beads by locals who lived close to the temples. This shows an implication that artists were likely of high social status. People who lived closer to the temples were supplied with only the finest meat, usually llama meat. This llama meat was brought by the residents of the surrounding high-altitude communities. In contrast, those who lived in rural areas consumed lower-quality food and used [[chert]] tools, while those who lived in urban areas imported high-quality obsidian to create sharper blades. Llama meat could be said to be freeze-fried to produce [[charqui]] which is the inspiration for modern-day [[beef jerky]]. Llama meat was extremely important as it was eaten by almost all the inhabitants in the area. Those who lived in the western half of the town ate younger and more delectable animals as opposed to the eastern side of town, whose residents ate lower-quality meat. These clear examples of social hierarchies show the differences between the people inside of town and those who lived in rural areas. While these social differences can be seen it is impossible to say how much of this social order was changed into a class system with multiple levels. <ref>{{cite book |last1=Quilter |first1=Jeffery |title=The Ancient Central Andes |date=2022 |publisher=Routledge World Archaeology |isbn=9780367481513 |pages=147 |edition=Second}}</ref>

==Site significance==
[[File:Chavin - Août 2007.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|El Castillo, part of the Chavín de Huántar ruins]]
The site was described by early 20th-century Peruvian archaeologist [[Julio C. Tello]] as "the birthplace of South American culture",{{sfn|Gasparovic|2020}} in recognition of its significance as a center of power for the Chavín culture, which he believed was the oldest in the highlands. Chavín de Huántar is located north of modern-day Lima at the confluence of two rivers: the Mosna and the Huanchecsa. This site allowed for easy access by the waterways and, at the same time, limited access to outsiders.

But discoveries and excavations since the late 20th century have established the older [[Norte Chico civilization|Norte Chico]], also known as Caral-Supe, as the site of the first civilization in the Americas and what is now Peru. Dated to 5,000 years ago, it covered an area across four river valleys, about 100 miles north of Lima.

Chavín de Huántar is located in a lowland valley at the confluence of the Mosna and the Huanchecsa. High altitude valleys are located nearby. Consequently, the people at Chavín de Huántar were able to cultivate both lowland crops such as [[maize]] and high altitude crops such as [[potato]]es. The people were also domesticating [[llama]]s in the high altitude areas for food and to serve as transport animals, to carry heavy loads on the steep slopes of the hills.

The religious significance of Chavín de Huántar was inspired by the geography of the site. The confluence of two large rivers has been considered to have spiritual importance in many cultures. Similarly, Chavín de Huántar was developed as a religious ceremonial center. The confluence of two rivers is referred to as ''tinkuy''<!-- what language? -->, which can be defined as the harmonious meeting of opposing forces. Chavín de Huántar likely was thought to have been a meeting place of natural and cosmic forces. The area is known to have natural hot springs and an awe-inspiring view of the [[Wantsan]] peak, both of which may have added to the religious significance of the site.{{sfn|Burger|2008|pp=681–706}}

== Early religious practices ==
Archaeologists continue to debate about the likely religious practices during the peak period at Chavín de Huántar. In the 1970s Peruvian [[Luis Lumbreras]] visited the site and learned some of the oral history from the locals. They believe the word Chavín comes from the [[Quechuan languages|Quechua]] word, ''chaupin'', meaning center, expressing its significance to local indigenous communities at the time. After investigation at the site, Lumbreas theorized that elites in the communities may have developed the ritual at the site. He also believed that they may have persuaded followers to the temple in order to maintain their political and social structure.{{fact|date=November 2025}}

== 2000 to present ==
[[File:Chavín de Huántar - 51148191837.jpg|thumb|Aerial view of the archaeological site]]
In the early 2000s John Rick and his team from [[Stanford University]] came to similar conclusions about the development of religious practices.{{sfn|Rick|2005}} Rick theorizes that the higher-ups (typically priests) at the temple would use deliberate techniques, material goods, and intricate architectural features to persuade and gain followers. These theories could be evidence that the temple and the priests in it exercised much power over local communities during its peak period.{{sfn|Sayre|2010|p=62}}

Rick also studied the site with [[laser scanning]] in an effort to determine whether it was "planned by an elite or had resulted from some grassroots religious fervor." The technique was used to create digital blueprints.{{sfn|Abate|2012}} Because details such as stair placement remain constant throughout generations of builders, the site may be a very early example of the use of a standardized [[building code]].{{sfn|Abate|2012}}

Beginning in 2004, the [[Global Heritage Fund]] (GHF) began conservation work at this [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]]. Their work is also directed at supporting local training and development of skills among the residents. According to GHF, their work has involved:

{{bquote|stabilizing primary monuments, repairing underground structures, documenting the site with high precision instruments, locating underground structures with non-intrusive technologies, revealing, assessing and when appropriate removing post-Chavín structures to reveal original architecture; cataloguing (sic) artifacts, and improving site interpretation facilities, while the local community is engaged through conservation and craft training, employment, tourism entrepreneurship and regular consultations regarding the management of the site and its environs."<ref>[https://www.globalheritagefund.org/where/chavin.html Global Heritage Fund (GHF) - Where We Work] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090411071408/https://www.globalheritagefund.org/where/chavin.html |date=April 11, 2009 }} Accessed on 2009-04-28.</ref>}}

[[CyArk]] has made a [https://web.archive.org/web/20140630221532/https://archive.cyark.org/chavn-de-huntar-intro slideshow, maps, and 3-D multimedia presentations about Chavín de Huántar] available, based on its 2005–2006 laser scanning and [[digital preservation]] project.<ref>{{Cite web
| title = Chavín de Huántar Slideshow Introduction
| work = CyArk
| access-date = 2014-10-12
| url = https://archive.cyark.org/chavn-de-huntar-intro
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140630221532/https://archive.cyark.org/chavn-de-huntar-intro
| archive-date = 2014-06-30
| url-status = dead
}}</ref>{{sfn|Risvetski|2006}}

In 2018, Rick's group used four-wheel-drive robots to search the temple. They discovered 30 tunnels, as well as the graves of several people buried under rocks. Further research is needed to study the human remains and any associated grave goods.{{sfn|Gimeno|2018}}

==See also==
* [[Iperu, tourist information and assistance]]
* [[Operation Chavín de Huántar]], said to be named by President [[Alberto Fujimori]] for the operations use of tunnels like the passageways of ''Huántar''
* [[Tourism in Peru]]
* [[Stela of the cactus bearer]]
* [[List of oldest buildings in the Americas]]
* [[List of archaeological sites in Peru]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==Sources==
{{refbegin|30em}}
*{{Cite news
| first         = Tom | last = Abate  
| publisher     = San Francisco Chronicle 
| title         = Laser mapping tool traces ancient sites – Device made for contractors helps archaeologists create first-ever digital blueprints
| work          = SFGate – Innovations
| archive-url   = https://web.archive.org/web/20190604025144/https://www.sfgate.com/business/article/INNOVATIONS-Laser-mapping-tool-traces-ancient-2579950.php
| archive-date  = 4 June 2019
| url-status    = live
| url           = https://www.sfgate.com/business/article/INNOVATIONS-Laser-mapping-tool-traces-ancient-2579950.php
| date          = 17 January 2012
}}
*{{Cite encyclopedia
| volume        = Sphere of Influence
| first         = Richard L | last = Burger 
| title         = Chavín de Huántar and itItsphere of Influence
| date          = 2008
| chapter       = Chavín de Huántar and Its Sphere of Influence
| encyclopedia  = Handbook of South American Archaeology
| pages         = 681–703
| editor1-first = Helaine
| editor1-last  = Silverman
| editor2-first = William 
| editor2-last  = Isbell
| publisher     = Springer
| doi           = 10.1007/978-0-387-74907-5_35
| isbn          = 978-0-387-74906-8
}}
*{{cite news
| first         = Fernando | last = Gimeno
| agency        = efe-epa
| url           = https://www.efe.com/efe/english/technology/robots-reveal-possible-3-000-year-old-human-sacrifices-in-peru/50000267-3725785
| title         = Robots reveal possible 3,000-year-old human sacrifices in Peru
| date          = 21 August 2018
| archive-url   = https://web.archive.org/web/20180821180548/https://www.efe.com/efe/english/technology/robots-reveal-possible-3-000-year-old-human-sacrifices-in-peru/50000267-3725785
| archive-date  = 21 August 2018
| url-status    = dead
}}
*{{Cite web
| url           = https://horizontravelpress.com/guides/historical-peru-034/visiting-chav%C3%ADn-de-hu%C3%A1ntar
| title         = Visiting Chavín de Huántar – Horizon Guides
| first         = Mike | last = Gasparovic
| website       = horizontravelpress.com
| date          = 12 December 2020
| archive-url   = https://web.archive.org/web/20200928123918/https://horizonguides.com/peru/archaeology/visiting-chav%C3%ADn-de-hu%C3%A1ntar
| archive-date  = 28 September 2020
| url-status    = dead
}}
*{{cite encyclopedia
| chapter       = '''4''' Building authority at Chavín de Huántar: Models of social organization and development in the initial period and early horizon
| first1        = Silvia Rodriguez | last1 = Kembel
| first2        = John W           | last2 = Rick
| editor1-first = Helaine          | editor1-last = Silverman
| date          = 2004
| encyclopedia  = Andean archaeology
| publisher     = Wiley / Blackwell
| pages         = 51–76
| isbn          = 978-0631234005
}}
*{{Cite journal
| first         = John W | last = Rick
| date          = 2005
| title         = The Evolution of Authority and Power at Chavín de Huántar, Peru
| journal       = Archeological Papers of the American Anthropological Association
| volume        = 14
| pages         = 71–89
| doi           = 10.1525/ap3a.2004.14.071
}}
*{{Cite journal
| first         = John | last = Risvetski
| title         = Laser Scanning for Cultural Heritage Applications
| journal       = Professional Surveyor Magazine
| date          = 2006
| url           = https://archives.profsurv.com/magazine/article.aspx?i=1555
| volume        = 26
| issue         = 3 (March)
| archive-url   = https://web.archive.org/web/20141016165316/https://archives.profsurv.com/magazine/article.aspx?i=1555
| archive-date  = 16 October 2014
| url-status    = live
}}
*{{Cite thesis	
| first         = Matthew Paul | last = Sayre
| date          = 2010
| title         = Life Across the River: Agricultural, Ritual, and Production Practices at Chavín de Huántar, Peru
| type          = PhD diss.
| publisher     = UC Berkeley
| url           = https://escholarship.org/uc/item/80m3183v
}}
{{refend}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite book
| title         = [[1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus]]
| edition       = 2nd
| first         = Charles C | last = Mann |author-link    = Charles C. Mann
| chapter       = Writing, Wheels, and Bucket Brigades
| pages         = [https://archive.org/details/149100char/page/273 273&ndash;274]
| date          = July 2011
| publisher     = [[Vintage Books]]
| isbn          = 978-1400032051
| location      = [[New York, New York|New York]]
}}

==External links==
* {{Commonscatinline}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090813092708/https://www.santosjaimes.org/Chavineng.html Chavin de Huantar: Organ World's largest and oldest?]
* [https://www.stanford.edu/~johnrick/chavin_wrap/chavin/ Exploring Chavín de Huántar]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20111117005518/https://archive.cyark.org/chavin-de-huantar-intro Chavín de Huántar Digital Media Archive] ([[creative commons]]-licensed photos, laser scans, panoramas), data from a [[Stanford University]]/[[CyArk]] research partnership (see Exploring Chavín de Huántar link above for additional contextual information)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20111007065455/https://globalheritagefund.org/what_we_do/overview/current_projects/chavin_de_huantar_peru Chavín de Huántar project summary] at [[Global Heritage Fund]]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20101119051243/https://ghn.globalheritagefund.org/?id=3 Explore Chavín de Huántar] on [[Global Heritage Network]]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20041214091400/https://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/archaeology/sites/south_america/chavin_de_huantar.html MNSU Chavín de Huántar]

{{World Heritage Sites in Peru}}
{{Archaeological sites in Peru}}
{{Pre-Columbian}}

{{Authority control}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020|cs1-dates=ss}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chavin De Huantar}}
[[Category:Chavin culture]]
[[Category:World Heritage Sites in Peru]]
[[Category:Former populated places in Peru]]
[[Category:Archaeological sites in the Department of Ancash]]
[[Category:Archaeological sites in Peru]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in the Department of Ancash]]