Around year 2000 BC, the first organised civilisations were established with the aim of building irrigation and terrace systems. As a result of such improved methods of cultivation, these communities gradually achieved a surplus in the production of foods. This freed resources which could be converted to artistic production. The first ceramic finds are from this period. They consisted of simple bowls and round-bottomed pots of black earthenware with scratched-in decorations.
The characteristic double-spout vessel spread from the Chavin culture which existed in the period 1600-500 BC. In the south, it was shaped with two short, taper spouts connected by a curved handle, while in the north it was developed into the characteristic 'stirrup handle'.
Later, different civilisations superseded one another. To the north, the Mochia culture was dominating around the year 0. The ceramics of this culture developed into powerful, plainly modelled shapes with simple decorations. At the same time, the Nazca culture dominated in the south. The ceramics here consisted of plain shapes with naturalistic decorations, which later became still more abstract. These are among the most important traditions in the region.
Between 600 and 1.000 AD, ceramics suffered a decline. However, with the Chimu culture which existed between 1000 and 1400 AD, ceramics prospered once again. Around the year 1460, the Incas conquered the entire region. They brought along a range of special shapes, among others the so-called 'aryballos', a bottle-shaped vessel with dense, geometric painting. In 1534, the Inca Empire succumbed to the Spanish conquerors, and with that the great Indian cultures of Peru perished.
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