Kotosh Religious Tradition

The Kotosh Religious Tradition is a term used by archaeologists to refer to the ritual buildings that were constructed in the mountain drainages of the Andes between circa 3000 and c.1800 BCE, during the Andean preceramic, or Late Archaic period of Andean history.

Archaeologists have identified and excavated a number of these ritual centers; the first of these to be discovered was that at Kotosh, although since then further examples have been found at Shillacoto, Wairajirca, Huaricoto, La Galgada and Piruru. These sites are all located in highland zones that are lower than the Puna, and yet there are considerable distances separating them. In spite of this, all these cases of highland preceramic public architecture are remarkably similar.

Kotosh tradition shows numerous links with the Chavín culture that emerged at most of these sites subsequently.

Three cultural phases which preceded the Chavín culture were identified at Kotosh, and at other related sites.

Mito tradition was the earliest. This was a preceramic tradition. During this period, The Temple of the Crossed Hands was first built. The image of crossed arms is characteristic for the Kotosh temple iconography.

This is when the first pottery appeared.

The Kotosh Period strongly maintained the traditions of the preceding Wairajirca Period, including the ceramic tradition. The Kotosh Period culture stratum was situated directly beneath the Chavín culture stratum.

Some Kotosh elements show links with the Chavín culture. For example; stirrup spouts, plain rocker stampings, and curvilinear ceramic designs. There are also similarities in black paint on red ceramics. Kotosh Black Polished Incised pottery is similar to Classical Chavín pottery.

The "type site" of the Kotosh Religious Tradition is found at Kotosh, about 5 kilometres from the city of modern Huánuco in Peru. Located on the eastern side of the Andes - which is geographically known as the Ceja de Montaña - it is situated at the longitude of 76°16'30" and a latitude of 9°56' south. Sitting on one of the lower terraces of this mountainous region, it was built along the right bank of the Higueras. Named "Kotosh" by local Huallaga Quechua speakers; the term means "a heap of stones", referring to the two stony mounds at the site.

...
Wikipedia