The Cities of the Ancient Andes [Hardcover]

Adriana Von Hagen (Author), Craig Morris (Author), Raig Morris (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 30, 1998

Presenting a study of the civilizations which ruled the Andean regions before the arrival of the Spanish, this book describes how the diversity of the Andean landscape has stamped a special character on its mysterious cities, which followed sacred geometry and were places for religious worship. The most extensive empire of pre-Colombian America was toppled in under a decade by a handful of Spanish invaders who looted the fabled riches of its great city, Cuzco, and severed its 15,000-mile system of roads. But the Inka empire was only the final link in a chain of urban development stretching back to 2500BC. What went before? Who created Machu Picchu, Ollantaytanbo and Huaca del Sol? The authors describe how the diversity of the Andean lanscape has stamped a special character on its mysterious cities, which followed sacred geometry and were places for religious worship. The people tried to control the extremes of nature they saw around them in mountains, jungle and desert with ceremony, ritual and blood offerings to the gods. Gradually, religious centres evolved into the powerful empires of later years. Vignettes of the lives of individuals - the leader of a llama caravan (the truck-driver of Chavin times), a delivery boy in the Chimu city of Chan Chan and an Inka sacrificial victim among them - supplement the archaeological narrative. This should be a useful book for travellers to the Andes, students and anyone who wants to learn more about ancient South America.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Thames & Hudson; 1ST edition (March 30, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0500050864
• ISBN-13: 978-0500050866
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #667,667 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #94 in Books > History > Ancient > Incan

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Overview, July 21, 2000

By 

Paul V Caetano - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cities of the Ancient Andes (Hardcover)

The authors provide a stimulating introduction to urbanism in the Precolumbian Andes. The only problem with this book was that it left me wanting more. Since the book covers the entire history of the Ancient Andes, it cannot devote much space to any specific city or civilization. Nevertheless, there is still more than enough to enthrall. At the start of each chapter on a civilization, there is always a short description of what life would have been like for some inhabitants of a city of that civilization. This provides some extra colour to the book though some technical readers might not appreciate it. My favourite portion was on Tiwanaku, the largest city of the altiplano around Lake Titicaca. The pictures and maps were excellent and greatly enhanced to the book.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Back in college, May 9, 2000

By 

R Johnson - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cities of the Ancient Andes (Hardcover)

The author of this book knows so much, it seems, he can't get it all into his book.

Without having a firm foundation in early Andean culture, I found this book challenging to digest. It moves through historical terminology at a mind-warping rate. On the other hand, after "stepping back" to read more basic books on the same subject, I realize I've gotten a strong platform of knowledge from Von Hagen. I recommend you read this book only if you plan to read others on the topic, too.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Short but excellent stories, April 30, 2007

By 

jabathehunt "JBH" (Papendrecht, Netherlands) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cities of the Ancient Andes (Hardcover)

Von Hagen first explains the definition of a city. Then in chronological order she starts telling about the pre-cities (monumental architecture) in Peru and the first cities. All is accompanied by beautiful photos and helpful maps. The stories of the cities are preceded with a tale "once upon a time" though in a very realistic manner. Next the city is explained When you visit Peru, and walk through the cities, this book will help you imagine how real life was in precolumbian times.