Diaguita
[CP]
A broad cultural grouping of the Andes region of South America dating to the period ad 900–1600. Two main subdivisions are recognized on the basis of ceramic styles: the Argentinian on the east side of the Andes and the Chilean to the west.The Argentinian Diaguita succeeds the Aguada Culture and is recognized by pottery decorated with stylized motifs of reptiles, birds, and humans. Polychrome decorated funerary urns are found associated with the burial of children, adults being interred in stone-lined pits.Chilian Diaguita is characterized by delicately decorated ceramics with duck-shaped vessels and bird effigy jars. Both groups share many traits such as funerary practices, the use of bronze, petroglyphs, and possibly their language, although the extent of interaction is not known.
