Origins and Context – A Realm Forged in Clay The Cupisnique culture, a name whispered from the mists of pre-Columbian Peru, represents far more than just an archaeological find; it’s a haunting echo of a sophisticated civilization that flourished along the northern Pacific coast between roughly 1500 and 500 BC. Often overshadowed by the later empires of the Inca and Chimú, Cupisnique stands as a testament to the ingenuity and artistic prowess of a people who carved a unique identity from the rugged landscape – a culture deeply intertwined with the spiritual world and expressed powerfully…