AQ 10/15/26 AQ 10/15/26

Quipus (khipus) in the Andes: Knotted cords as writing

Khipus (quipus) are a sophisticated record-keeping system used by the Inca (Inka) in the Andean region of South America.

AQ 10/8/26 AQ 10/8/26

Ear Ornaments in the Pre-Columbian Americas

Among the many cultures of the ancient Americas, ear ornaments took many forms, including earspools, ear plugs, ear plaques, and ear flares.

AQ 10/1/26 AQ 10/1/26

Cupisnique Vessel from Ancient Peru

Look at a clay vessel featuring a thorny oyster, made over two thousand years ago in Peru in the Cupisnique cultural tradition.

AQ 9/21/26 AQ 9/21/26

Lambayeque (Sicán) tumis or ceremonial knives

Learn what a tumi (ceremonial knife) is in the ancient Andes, looking in detail at Sicán (Lambayeque) examples in gold, silver, and turquoise.

AQ 7/27/26 AQ 7/27/26

Chavín Craftsmanship and Metalworking: A Chest Ornament with Agnathic Feline Face

A 2,000-year-old Chavin gold ornament helps us learn how ancient Andean art reflects early metallurgical skills in Peru.

AQ 7/13/26 AQ 7/13/26

Spondylus Shell in the Kingdom of Chimor in the Ancient Andes

The Chimú kingdom of Chimor thrived along the coast of what is now Peru, growing wealthy in part because of the Spondylus shell.

AQ 6/25/25 AQ 6/25/25

What is a Nazca Double-Spout and Bridge Vessel?

Learn about Nazca ceramics, specifically double-spout and bridge vessels.

AQ 4/30/24 AQ 4/30/24

The Nazca Lines in Ancient Peru

Learn about the famous Nazca Lines, ancient geoglyphs in Peru.

ARTSQ 4/25/24 ARTSQ 4/25/24

Little luxurious llamas in the Inka Empire

Golden and silver llamas made by Inka artists more than 500 years ago in South America are tiny and shiny. These cute figurines give us some insight into the powerful and massive Inka Empire, which had about 12 million people in it at its height!