Chancay culture
It is a desert region but has fertile valleys bathed by rivers and is rich in resources that allowed for, among other things, extensive agricultural development.
The Chancay developed intense trade relations with other regions, allowing them to interact with other cultures and settlements in a wide area.
As the culture was geographically located on the oceanfront, they were involved in traditional fishing both from the shore as well as further out to sea from their caballitos de totora, an ancient type of watercraft unique to Peru.
The settlements in Lauri, Lumbra, Tambo Blanco, Handrail, Pisquillo Chico and Tronconal focused mainly on artisans producing large-scale ceramics and textiles.
[1] The curacas, political leaders, regulated the production of artisans, farmers and ranchers in addition to overseeing festive activities.
The most well-known Chancay artefacts are the textiles which ranged from embroidered pieces, different types of fabrics decorated with paint.
[3] Some of the human fiber sculptures are elaborate and include such scenes as a mother teaching her daughter to weave on a backstrap loom.
This thread, which had a magical character, was called lloque and, according to legend, the garments were infused with supernatural powers and served as protection in the afterlife.
The technique used in creating ceramics was with a rough matt surface that was later painted with a dark colour, usually black or brown, on top of a lighter cream or white background.
[1] Other common ceramic vessels were oblong jars with narrow necks and wide mouths, with designs in the form of human faces and geometric shapes painted in the black on cream technique.
These figures are particularly notable for their unusual bodily position, which is characterized by upwardly extended arms with palms that face the viewer.
[citation needed] The wood carvings done by the Chancay are characterized by their simplicity, sobriety[2] and use of shapes from nature, quite opposed to the sophistication of their textile art.
[2] Using the wood from their coastal desert the Chancay carved large and small objects, finely engraved with motifs reflecting the marine environment, such as seabirds and boats.
They also manufactured tools for use in the textile work, in farming and fishing operations, as well as a variety of objects for worship and to distinguish the social status of the populace.
With respect to architecture, this civilization is noted for creating large urban centres with pyramid-shaped mounds and complex buildings.
