The Paracas and Nazca cultures thrived in what is now Peru from around 600 - 175 BC and 1 - 700 AD, respectively. The depiction of ritual sacrifice plays a significant role in the art of both the Paracas and the Nazca cultures. We see examples of this ritual sacrifice in the intricately decorated Paracas textiles and beautifully painted Nazca ceramic pottery. One example of ritual sacrifice that we see in both the Paracas and Nazca cultures is that of trophy heads. A trophy head was quite literally a decapitated head, taken as a trophy and probably used for any number of reasons. These trophy heads were often either carried or attached to the clothing of males and were meant to be indicative of the male’s status and prestige. Trophy
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These heads were believed to enhance fertility; not only of the wearer of the trophy head, but also agricultural fertility. Another common element between the art of these peoples is the Anthropomorphic Mythical Being. The AMB is a non-human entity, often Gods or animals, that are given human characteristics. These AMB’s are nearly always involved in varying kinds of ritual sacrifice. We see many examples of ritual sacrifice in the art of the Paracas textiles. In the image of Standing Anthropomorphic Figure with Trophy Head we see an AMB with a trophy head being carried on his back or in some type of basket. In his other hand he carries a Tumi blade, something we will see repeatedly throughout Paracas art. The Tumi blade was a knife thought to be the main tool used in the decapitation of trophy heads. Another image seen repeatedly in Paracas art is that of the back-bent figure, these back-bent figures almost always carry Tumi blades and clubs. In Back-Bent Figure a shaman is depicted in the act of what is believed to be auto-sacrifice. The head is bent back and appears to be removed from the body. The hole in this figure’s chest may also suggest heart extraction. These sacrifices were made as
These heads were believed to enhance fertility; not only of the wearer of the trophy head, but also agricultural fertility. Another common element between the art of these peoples is the Anthropomorphic Mythical Being. The AMB is a non-human entity, often Gods or animals, that are given human characteristics. These AMB’s are nearly always involved in varying kinds of ritual sacrifice. We see many examples of ritual sacrifice in the art of the Paracas textiles. In the image of Standing Anthropomorphic Figure with Trophy Head we see an AMB with a trophy head being carried on his back or in some type of basket. In his other hand he carries a Tumi blade, something we will see repeatedly throughout Paracas art. The Tumi blade was a knife thought to be the main tool used in the decapitation of trophy heads. Another image seen repeatedly in Paracas art is that of the back-bent figure, these back-bent figures almost always carry Tumi blades and clubs. In Back-Bent Figure a shaman is depicted in the act of what is believed to be auto-sacrifice. The head is bent back and appears to be removed from the body. The hole in this figure’s chest may also suggest heart extraction. These sacrifices were made as