Visions of the Cupisnique Pharmacopeia: Entheogenic and Therapeutic Substances in North Coast Formative Ceramic Iconography
Cathy Costin
Ñawpa Pacha July 3, 2025 DOI: 10.1080/00776297.2025.2510122 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that the primary theme of north coast Middle Formative iconography (c. 1200–900 BCE) is altered states of consciousness, and that entheogenic and therapeutic substances were used more variously, more prevalently, and more far-reachingly in early Andean prehistory than previously reported. |
Abstract
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 entheogenic and therapeutic substances during the early phases of Andean prehistory than previously reported. I argue that most north coast Middle Formative iconography (c. 1200–900 BCE) represents ideas and practices associated with ASCs, with particular focus on the means through which they were achieved and how they were experienced and interpreted.
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