Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino

Cultures > Arid North > Cabuza

History

The Cabuza lived during a period known as the Middle Horizon, which was characterized by the influence of the Tiwanaku culture. They shared their valleys with the Maitas-Chiribaya coastal culture, occupying adjoining lands for their farms, residential settlements and cemeteries. Around 1100 AD, the Tiwanaku fell from power and the groups under their rule became independent, which led to more local developments as the Late Intermediate Period was ushered in. In the valleys of the far north of Chile, this new period saw the emergence of the Arica culture. Many material and decorate aspects of the Cabuza culture remained present in later times, such as the spoons and kero cups, although over time these experienced changes in both form and function.