Description
Metalwork in the Andean Region
Book Summary
This work offers a detailed analysis of the metal object collections at the Museum of the Americas, contextualized within the geographic framework of the Andes. Through a rigorous catalog, authors Mariano Cuesta Domingo and Salvador Rovina Llorens present specialized research on the techniques, uses, and meanings of pre-Columbian metallurgy. The reader will find an academic study that combines the description of pieces with the historical and cultural context of Andean civilizations, making it an essential reference for archaeologists, historians, and lovers of pre-Hispanic art.
What is it about?
The book focuses on the study of metalwork from the Andean area preserved at the Museum of the Americas. Based on an exhaustive catalog, it examines pieces made of gold, silver, copper, and their alloys, analyzing their ceremonial, ornamental, and utilitarian functions. The work addresses extraction, smelting, and manufacturing processes, as well as the symbolism associated with metals in cultures such as the Inca, Moche, or Chimú. It is a piece of research that not only documents the collections but places them within their archaeological and anthropological context, offering a comprehensive view of Andean metallurgy as a technological and artistic expression.
Main Topics
- Pre-Columbian metallurgy in the Andes: working techniques and alloys.
- Catalog of the Museum of the Americas' metal collections.
- Ritual, social, and economic function of metal objects in Andean cultures.
- Archaeological and geographic context of the Andean area.
- Symbolism of gold, silver, and copper in pre-Hispanic art.
Who is it recommended for?
This work is intended for archaeologists, art historians, anthropologists, and students of disciplines related to cultural heritage. It is also of great interest to museum curators, specialized collectors, and any reader with academic curiosity about Andean civilizations and their metallurgical legacy. A prior level of knowledge in archaeology or history is required to fully appreciate its content.
What this book contributes
- Access to a detailed and systematized catalog of little-known Andean metal pieces.
- Understanding of the technical processes of pre-Columbian metallurgy from an archaeological perspective.
- Cultural and symbolic contextualization of the objects, beyond their formal description.
- A rigorous reference tool for researchers and heritage professionals.
- Expansion of knowledge regarding metallurgical production in one of the most relevant regions of pre-Hispanic America.
Technical Specifications
- Author: Cuesta Domingo, Mariano; Rovina Llorens, Salvador
- Publisher: Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport. Area of
- Language: Spanish
- Collection: TBD. COLLECTION
- Publication Date: January 1982
- Number of pages: 258
- Weight: 800 g
Editorial Review
This is a specialized reference work that, despite its publication date, maintains its value as a systematic catalog of the Andean metal collections at the Museum of the Americas. Its academic and descriptive approach makes it a useful resource for researchers seeking detailed documentation on specific pieces. However, the general reader may find the content dense and highly technical. Recommended for specialized libraries, study centers, and professionals in the archaeological field.