CLAVAS HEADS OF CHAVÍN CULTURE: MAIN CHARACTERISTICS - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The nailed heads of the Chavín culture are sculptures of the heads of mythical anthropic or zoomorphic beings, fixed to the walls with a spike or elongated object.

These sculptures were very characteristic of the Chavín culture, a pre-Inca civilization of Peru. They were carved in stone (volcanic tuff, limestone and sandstone), and their shapes and sizes differ from each other.

At least half of these have zoomorphic features, particularly those of cats, birds and snakes. In fact, most show open nostrils, an open feline mouth, and a bird's beak.

In some cases they show snakes in the form of ridges on the top of the head. Their discovery and study began in 1919. They were found horizontally and equidistantly on the south, east and west walls of the Temple of Chavín.

Currently there is only one of these heads in its original site, since the rest disappeared after a flood that occurred in 1945 in an archaeological site where they were being studied.

The National Museum of Chavín has at least 100 complete nail heads, thanks to the excavations that have been made since 1960, in which these monoliths have continued to be found.

In fact, in 2013 archaeologists John Rick and Luis Guillermo Lumbreras announced the discovery of two nailed heads in very good condition.

The 3 main types of nail heads

According to what has been discovered so far, the nailed heads of the Chavín culture can be classified into:

1- Anthropomorphic

They are the most elaborate monoliths. They show open eyes, closed mouth, flattened noses, contracted muscles and, in very few cases, show teeth.

two-

They are the heads that represent animals, specifically felines, snakes and birds of prey. They are identified by exposing sharp fangs.

3- Mythological

This is the case of heads that mix human and animal features, with thick lips and crests or hair formed by snake designs.

Possible meanings of the nailed heads

Different theories have been developed around Chavín's nailed heads, but the most accepted so far among the scientific community indicate the following:

- They are the representation of the Chavín deities, such as the god Jaguar, for example.

- They are the representation of the faces of priests under the effects of hallucinogenic substances, such as the San Pedro cactus.

- They are the representation of the metamorphosis suffered by the Chavín priests. According to the culture, they turned into animals.

- They are trophies that the chavín took from their enemies, which was not uncommon in the groups that populated the jungles at that time.

- They are representations of supernatural and anthropomorphic beings.

- They are symbolic guardians of the temple, which even served to drive away evil spirits.

Archaeological monument of Chavín

The Archaeological Monument of Chavín, a space bordered by the nailed heads, was discovered in 1919 and is located about 109 km from the city of Huaraz, province of Huari.

According to experts, this is what was the political-religious center of this pre-Inca culture and was erected in homage to their deities.

In this there are temples, plaza, internal galleries, altars, aqueducts, stone constructions, canals and intakes.

Likewise, in one of its passageways there is a monolith over 4 meters high in the shape of a knife with decorations alluding to animals, specifically felines, birds and snakes: it is the Lanzón de Chavín.

Archaeologists have also found evidence that suggests that the temple was a place of pilgrimage for the inhabitants of other regions, who came to consult the priests and left offerings.

The Archaeological Monument of Chavín is famous in the world for the lithoscuts found in it and its excellent ceramics. In 1985 UNESCO declared it a Cultural Heritage of Humanity,

About the chavín culture

The Chavín culture developed in the province of Huari and places near the Parón lagoon in the natural region of Janca.

Its main ceremonial center, the Chavín de Huántar, was located in the Conchucos alley, on the eastern side of the Cordillera Blanca in the same province of Huari.

It is considered a Pan-Andean culture because it spread from there to the Lambayeque and Cajamarca departments to the north, and Ica and Ayacucho to the south.

References

1. Agence France-Presse -AFP (2013). They discover three "nailed heads" of the Chavín culture. Recovered from: publimetro.pe
2. Magali Cave (2011). The Chavín culture in Peru. Recovered from: sibila.com.br
3. Gonzáles, Aníbal (2009). Chavín nail heads. Recovered from: historiacultural.com
4. History of Peru (2010). Chavín culture. Recovered from: historiadelperuchavin.blogspot.com
5. Peru Tourist Services (s / f). Chavín archaeological monument. Recovered from: peruserviciosturisticos.com
6. Subirana, Katherine (2013). Two nailed heads were found in the temple of Chavín. Recovered from: elcomercio.pe
7. Wikipedia (s / f). Nail heads. Recovered from: es.wikipedia.org
8. Wikipedia (s / f). Chavín culture. Recovered from: es.wikipedia.org