Visions of the Cupisnique Pharmacopeia: Entheogenic and Therapeutic Substances in North Coast Formative Ceramic Iconography
Nawpa Pacha July 3, 2025 Cathy Costin
Andeanists have long acknowledged a shamanic component in Formative ceramic art on what is today the north coast of Peru, but disagree about the overall subject of the iconography. In this paper, I argue the primary theme in north coast Middle Formative iconography is altered states of consciousness (ASC). I present evidence for more varied, more prevalent, and much more far-reaching use of...