Cuchimilco facts for kids

Cuchimilco figures are special clay statues made a long time ago. They were created by the Chancay culture between the years 1200 and 1450 AD. The Chancay people lived in what is now Peru, before the big Inca Empire took over.

These figures are made of unglazed clay, meaning they don't have a shiny coating. They often come in pairs, one male and one female. Cuchimilcos have stocky, almost triangular bodies and their arms are usually raised. Even though they look similar, their painted decorations show differences in their clothing, which might tell us about their gender.

We don't know exactly what these figures were used for. However, many people believe they were guardians for the tombs of the Chancay people. They might have also been seen as companions for the dead in the afterlife.

What Do Cuchimilco Figures Look Like?

Cuchimilco sculptures look like humans with strong, stocky bodies. They have flat heads, long arms that are usually raised, and short legs. These figures are made from terracotta, which is a type of clay. They are often covered with a white clay slip and decorated with black lines.

Artists used black paint or ink to stamp on details. Most figures don't wear much clothing. Instead, they might have bracelets, headdresses or hats, and masks around their eyes. The faces on these figures are quite small, with features placed close together. Many of them have a surprised look, with wide eyes and sometimes an open mouth.

When clothing is shown, like a poncho, the black lines form cool geometric patterns. These patterns often show different animals that were important to the Chancay culture. It's common for these figures to have a wide, flat, triangular-shaped hat or head. They also often wear a mask around their eyes, which was a traditional style for the Chancay people. The hats and clothing patterns are different for male and female figures. This might show that each gender had different roles or importance in their society.

Cuchimilco figures are often found in pairs, one male and one female. This idea of pairs might show how important "divine duality" was to the Chancay people. The figures usually face forward and are balanced, with both arms stretched out or up. This looks like a welcoming pose.

Archaeologists often find cuchimilco figures in burial sites, especially in the graves of important people. This has led to the idea that these figures were meant to protect against bad spirits or energies. They are sometimes called "guardian figures" because their welcoming pose with outstretched arms might have kept bad energies away from the body or spirit buried with them. Some archaeologists also think the figures might represent family members of the person who died. They could have helped absorb any evil energy around the tomb.

Cuchimilco Figures and Funerary Dolls

Cuchimilco figures are sometimes confused with funerary dolls from the Chancay culture. Both are found in burial sites or tombs, but they likely had different purposes. Funerary dolls are made from woven fabric. They might have been children's toys that were buried with the dead, perhaps to act as companions in the afterlife.

However, the exact purpose of both cuchimilco figures and funerary dolls is still a mystery. Historians and archaeologists are still forming ideas about what they meant. These ideas come from where the objects are found. Both types of figures often have dramatic facial features, like wide, surprised eyes. This look might have had a special meaning related to death and the afterlife.

Learning About the Chancay Culture

The Chancay culture lived mainly in the valleys of what is now Peru. They started around 1200 AD and thrived until 1450 AD, when the Inca Empire took over. We don't know a lot about this culture because they didn't keep written records. However, they left behind many amazing ceramics, textiles (fabrics), and wood carvings. These artifacts give us clues about their way of life. Their ceramic works, like the cuchimilco figures, are the most common things we find.

The burial process was very important to the Chancay culture. They built large cemeteries and tombs to bury people from their community. The size of the tomb often showed how important a person was. Leaders or high-ranking people had large, deep tombs, sometimes ten feet deep or more, which were entered by ladders.

Ceramic objects, along with wood carvings, precious metals, and textiles, have mostly been found in these tombs. These items might have been offerings for the dead to use in the afterlife. Some archaeologists think the Chancay culture believed in life after death because of all the objects left in the tombs. But since there are no written records, the true meaning behind these practices is still a guess.

Where Are Cuchimilco Figures Today?

You can find these special figurines in museums and private collections all over the world. They are found from Arizona to Chile to the UK, and of course, back in Peru. Many people find these objects interesting because of the idea that they could ward off evil energies or spirits.

However, many cuchimilco figures sold today are copies made by skilled artists. The original figures made by the actual Chancay culture are much more valuable. Copies can sell for less than a hundred dollars, while real artifacts can sell for over two thousand dollars, depending on their condition and details. Some original pieces might even sell for over three thousand dollars.

Even though we have little written information about the Chancay culture, the cuchimilco figures help us learn more about this ancient and mysterious group of people.

See also

In Spanish: Cuchimilco para niños