NO. 1 CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN LATIN AMERICA 113 
such as individuals with feHne masks, or carrying axes and trophy 
heads, and individuals with an atlatl or two staffs. Although it is true 
that these elements are widely distributed throughout Nuclear Amer- 
ica, Tiahuanaco is the place closest to northwestern Argentina where 
they are commonly represented. Furthermore, there appears to be 
good evidence of the contemporaneity of Aguada and Classic Tiahua- 
naco in the form of three carbon-14 dates, which place Aguada at 
around a.d. 800. Whether or not Tiahuanaco is the source, there is no 
doubt that in the northwestern part of Argentina, Aguada is the cul- 
ture showing the greatest number of elements of Central Andean der- 
ivation. 
Conditions in the Valliserrana area were ideal for the elaboration 
of these influences. Two traditions, Cienaga and Condorhuasi, had al- 
ready met and mixed there with the earlier Tafi Complex. The fusion 
of elements of Cienaga and Condorhuasi, the latter incorporating ele- 
ments of Candelaria, produced excellent pottery, metallurgy, intensive 
agriculture, and good stoneworking expressed both in tools and sculp- 
ture. On this foundation, an elaboration of new religious, social, and 
artistic concepts rapidly brought into being one of the most impor- 
tant cultures of northwestern Argentina. It is difficult to understand 
why the Aguada Culture never crossed the cordillera into Chile, or 
expanded farther north than the Valle Calchaqui. 
During the Middle Period the region of the Selvas Occidentales was 
occupied by a culture with well-developed gray pottery decorated in 
geometric patterns. Certain forms are shared with Aguada, but the fe- 
line motif is practically absent, suggesting that the religious and artis- 
tic aspects of the Aguada tradition did not influence this area. The 
northern Puna is little known, but gold objects of Classic Tiahuanaco 
form have been recovered from graves in the western Puna. Since 
Tiahuanacoid influence is later diminished, this may be the period in 
which elements producing the tradition of the wooden tablets and 
tubes with feline or anthropomorphic figures, feline masks, crosses, 
and other motifs found on the engraved gourds were introduced. 
Late Ceramic Period. — The cultural development of the Middle 
Period appears to have been suddenly interrupted as a result of strong 
influences from the eastern forest zone. The result was the elimination 
of old traditions and the implantation of new practices. Among the 
former, the most important was the disappearance of all Aguada types 
of pottery and the tradition of incised gray and black ware, and in 
religion the disappearance of the feline cult and related elements such 
as the masked warriors and image of the ''sacrificer." 
Innovations include the appearance of the communal pit house, 
