{"product_id":"tiwanaku-ancestors-of-the-inca","title":"Tiwanaku: Ancestors of the Inca","description":"\u003cp\u003eBy the shores of Lake Titicaca  the largest body of water in the South American highland  rose the city of Tiwanaku. Its megalithic structures were constructed between AD 100 and 300. By 500 Tiwanaku had become the capital of an expanding empire in the Andes that endured until approximately AD 1000  when extended drought caused water levels to fall and agriculture to fail. After European colonization many of the buildings were raided for their stone  which was used to construct churches  rail stations  and houses. Less than a day s trip from La Paz  Bolivia  Tiwanaku remains one of the most impressive archeological sites in South America. Despite its fame and its economic  political  and artistic importance to such later peoples as the Incas  the Tiwanaku civilization has never been the subject of a comprehensive international art exhibition and accompanying catalog until now. Tiwanaku introduces American audiences to the striking artwork and fascinating rituals of this highland culture through approximately one hundred works of art and cultural treasures. The range of media is unparalleled among ancient South American civilizations: large-scale stone sculptures  spectacular works in gold and silver  masterfully crafted ceramics  monumental architecture  gold and silver jewelry  and decoratively carved wood  bone  and stone objects. Of special note are the textiles  remarkably preserved by the dry climate of Tiwanaku s outposts in Chile and Peru. These finely crafted and richly decorated objects assembled from collections around the world evoke a vivid and comprehensive picture of elite life five hundred to one thousand years before the Inca Empire. This lavishly illustrated  full-color catalog features insightful scholarly essays introducing the general reader to the culture and historical context of the Tiwanaku.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44952403869749,"sku":"ByrdShop_0803249217","price":315.48,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9780803249219.jpg?v=1770162852","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/tiwanaku-ancestors-of-the-inca","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}