---
node: sa_early_andean
type: period
slug: early_andean_civilizations
title: "Early Andean civilizations"
lead: "The early Andean civilizations (c. 1800 BC–AD 200) built the first temple cultures of the Andes, culminating in the Chavín horizon. Chavín spread a shared religion and art style across much of Peru."
published: 2026-07-13
updated: 2026-07-13
---

## Overview

After Norte Chico, Initial Period peoples raised large temple complexes along the coast and in the highlands. From around 900 BC the Chavín culture, centered on Chavín de Huántar, spread a distinctive religious art far and wide in what is called the Early Horizon.

## Key developments

Chavín art, full of fanged deities and animal imagery, appears on stone carvings, textiles, ceramics, and fine goldwork across the region, marking a shared belief system. On the south coast the Paracas culture produced spectacular embroidered textiles.

## End and transition

As the Chavín cult faded around 200 BC, its unity gave way to distinct regional cultures. The stage was set for the flourishing coastal and highland states of the following era.