The+Norte+Chico+Civilization

The Norte Chico Civilization was located in the Andean area of South America, mainly in Peru. The civilization was also located near the Supe River. Although living by a river surrounded by fertile soil, the Norte Chico people never really farmed.

The government of these ancient people did not contain a main “leader.” They were fond of trade with other near by civilizations. Also, the people of the city believe it was only fair to share the amount of labor. This then proved to many archaeologists that there had to of been some separation of power in the city. Instead of giving a person the highest power, they believe one of the gods they worshiped should be given the title.

The religion these people had was the belief in only one god. Their god was called the Staff God. The ancient people would hold many religious ceremonies throughout the year in his honor. At these religious ceremonies they would burn hallucinogenic plants to communicate with their god. The staff god was pictured to be a large black figure who wore a hood and had very large scary fangs.

Very few artifacts still exist today. In the civilization there were little to no signs of ceramics and pottery. From looking at the art of the Norte Chico people archaeologists can see that there was an undeveloped language. Instead of a verbal language they used a knot system called quipu to document their frequent trading.

One of the most know inventions of the Norte Chico Civilization are the cotton textiles. These people also made irrigation canals, stone warehouses, and pyramids. The Norte Chico Civilization was a very complex society even without the invention of agriculture.

By: Elli Duensing