Nasca Civilization
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Glasgow Museums has a collection of Nasca ceramics and textiles, dating from 1 to 800, which derive from the pre-Columbian Nasca culture of the southern desert region of coastal Peru. This collection comprises material that can be classified into three broad phases. Early Nasca (1 AD to 400) used simple geometric patterns and naturalistic representations of people, plants and animals. Middle Nasca (400 to 500) had a more stylized approach to design, with an increased frequency of depictions of masked demons, trophy heads and warfare. Late Nasca (500 to 750) is characterized by a degeneration of technique and a return to naturalistic styles in the form of human effigy vessels. The Nasca ceramic tradition in general is distinguished by its polychrome pottery, double spout and bridge vessels, and also by its bowls, plates and jars. There was no wheel used to produce this pottery, although evidence suggests that ceramic turntables, paddles and anvils were sometimes used to shape the vessels. The Nasca culture, responsible for the celebrated Nasca lines, was highly advanced and is well known for its elaborate ceramic art and textiles. It flourished between 300 BC and AD 800.
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