Recently discovered Wari ceramics reveal origin of first Peruvian empire

A set of ceramic pieces unearthed at Wari archaeological complex in Ayacucho reveals valuable information about the origin of Wari civilization, the first imperial State of Peru that served as the basis for the Inca Empire development.

Credit: Andina

The archaeological site, considered the capital of this complex and well-organized pre-Hispanic civilization (600 AD-1,200 AD), is located 25 km northeast of Andean Ayacucho City.

According to Jose Ochatoma, archaeologist at San Cristobal de Huamanga University and lead researcher at Wari complex, the images on the 45 restored ceramics reveal the origin of Wari is linked to Nazca and Huarpa cultures.

Credit: Andina

The decorative elements include representations of coastal animals and marine products (seaweed, fish, octopus), similar to those found in the iconography of Nazca culture— indicate that such civilization influenced the origin of Wari. The ceramics belong to diverse stages of Wari's cultural development.

"Research shows that Wari is not the result of simultaneous influences of Nazca and Tiahuanaco cultures, as previously thought. Nazca's decisive influence came first and Tiahuanaco's followed, when Wari experienced its greatest development," he noted.

Credit: Andina

Ochatoma explained the restoration of these recently uncovered artifacts, part of the conservation and enhancement process of Wari's cultural heritage, demands plenty of time and dedication since there are pieces of different sizes.

"The studies conducted reveal that ceramics used to be destroyed as part of Wari rituals. In some cases, archaeologists found the stones used to break the pots and other ceramic pieces. Therefore, it is very difficult to restore the ceramics to their original state," he pointed out.

Credit: Andina

Ochatoma said that, in addition to pottery, several stages of cultural development are present in the sequence and superposition of the constructions found at the excavations.

Very little is known about the Huarpa culture, which preceded the Wari, added the archaeologist.

"New research has shown that there is evidence of a very dense Huarpa occupation before the Wari urban occupation," he said.

Source: Andina [May 17, 2019]