Chavin culture (pre‐Moche)

Abstract Chavin culture refers to the 1200–500 bce , middle and Late Formative periods societies of the central Andes of South America, as well as to the archetypical site of Chavín de Huantár in the north‐central highlands of Peru. This site and other contemporary monumental ritual centers established many of the cultural characteristics of pre‐Columbian societies of the Andes and thus was a major antecedent to the later Andean empires. Elaborate rituals helped build the credibility of emerging authorities, and participation in these cult‐based centers gave initiates access to iconic pottery and other material representations of these religions, as well as knowledge and experiences. Long‐distance interactions between cult centers and their followers distributed highly stylized cultural materials over most of the central Andes, creating the first prehistoric time period with strong regional commonalities.