Peaks of civilization
Beijing's Capital Museum offers the opportunity to explore the deep and vibrant history of the early South American cultures to emerge in the shadow of the Peruvian Andes, Wang Kaihao reports.
Llamas, spiders, bats, and many other animal species which appear in the decorations and patterns of the artifacts, also unveil the complex system of rituals throughout the region's history. Behind these cute animal patterns, the Andes witnessed a succession of cultures that formed the brilliant Peruvian civilization through their mutual communication and their creativity.
For example, the Sican Culture (750-1375) in the north of Peru is famed for its highly developed metallurgy and irrigation agriculture while the Tiwanaku Culture (500 BC-AD 1100) near Lake Titicaca also rose as an economic hub, known for its wide footprint in southern Peru and its inclusiveness toward various cultural elements.
In the late 15th century, Incas established their mighty empire and became the largest political entity ever established by an indigenous population in the Americas before European colonists conquered the continent.
Zhao says the Inca Empire inherited many key traditions of previous cultures, and also showed their creativity in architecture, textiles, pottery and social governance.
Huang Xueyin, deputy director of the Capital Museum and a history researcher, says: "Peru is so far away from China, but ancient civilization in the two countries once met similar questions, like how to get along with natural conditions and how to develop agriculture. Learning each other's experiences can give us better understanding of our own history."
