Taira, the dawn of art in Atacama – 2017
Enclosure B as it is today.
Ceramic pitcher with a basketry lid, found outside of Enclosure C.
Cántaros de cerámica del Alero Taira.
Cántaro de cerámica tapado con cesto vegetal, Complejo Cultural Loa-San Pedro, 800 - 1000 d.C. 33 x 40 cm, MCHAP Ce-234/ FV-40. Olla de cerámica con tapa de piedra, Complejo Cultural Loa-San Pedro, 600 - 800 d.C. 35 x 23 cm, MCHAP Ce-237.
Cántaro de cerámica (detalle).
The archive underfoot
The archaeological remains found at the rock shelter have allowed us to date the different occupations of the site. The oldest remains date to 800 BC and were likely left by those who created the main images. The panels were worked on and restored intermittently, giving the impression that Taira was a work in constant process, never finished.
After AD 200, enclosures were built that partly covered some of the drawings. Between AD 600 and 800 a ceramic cooking pot and beverage pitcher were stored there to be used in rituals performed at the site. The shelter was occupied sporadically until the Spanish conquest.