Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino

Warriors and invaders

Around 1000 years ago, armed conflicts in the Chilean desert became increasingly frequent. Harassed by drought, Altiplano groups, identified by their truncated conical hats, invaded the Far North and entered into conflict with local groups. To protect themselves from the invaders’ slingshots and war hammers, desert warriors wore special battle helmets equipped with a visor that enabled them to see.

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Truncated-cone cap with metal ornaments. Inka-Caranga (Arica), 1400-1536 d.C. Donación Santa Cruz-Yaconi, 1763.

Helmet with feather ornaments. Fibra de camélido, madera Pica Tarapacá. MCHAP, PE-225.