William J. Conklin (1923–2018)

Despite what the title suggests, this is not a book about Museums in the Andes but about the Pre-Columbian art of Peru. The book is divided into the classic periods proposed by John H. Rowe:

Early Horizon
Early Intermediate Period
Middle Horizon
Late Intermediate Period
Late Horizon

The Horizons are characterized by the widespread influence of one or two cultures, while the Periods are characterized by a greater diversity of regional styles.

All 142 photos are in color and reproduced with high quality, and the descriptions of each piece are useful and readable. The book works well as either a browsable coffee-table book or a reference work. Pottery, textiles, and metallurgy are covered, while architecture is left out entirely. The focus is on the better-known cultures: Chavin, Paracas, Moche, Nasca, Tiahuanaco, Huari, Chimu, Chancay, and Inca. There are is only one Vicus piece and two Recuay, and many other cultures are left out. Still, this is a good place to start for anyone interested in Peruvian archaeology. It may be better not to get overwhelmed with an exhaustive treatment of the incredibly rich and diverse legacy of Peru's past.

The pieces are mostly from the Amano Museum and The National Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology, and History, with some from the Gold Museum. So if you were to buy one of the books on the Larco (Peru's biggest, greatest museum), it would complement this book nicely.… (mais)