Figurine of a Priest Holding San Pedro Cactus

Aong with textiles, ceramics were the primary medium of visual expression in the Andes beginning one thousand years ago. One of the earliest representational ceramic styles was that of the Southern Highlands Chavín culture, illustrated by this hollow figurine of a priest holding a branch of San Pedro cactus (Echinopsis pachanoi). The priest is elaborately dressed in a feline headdress, an animal-pelt cape, a loincloth, a collar, and large disc earrings. The hallucinogenic San Pedro cactus was consumed by Chavín priests to achieve transformative states and communicate with the spirit world.