The fabrication of ceramics marks a crucial development of the prehispanic cultures. The most ancient known pottery belongs to the region of Valdivia (present Ecuador) and dates more or less from 2500 B.C. Numerous are the periods, techniques, shapes and decorations of ceramics, which allow archaeologists to establish chronology important to observe their development. However, little is known about the making of pottery in itself. The use of the wheel was unknown and in its place molds were used.

The ceramics of Peru, without any doubt, were the most beautiful and fine of all South America and perhaps of the whole continent. That of Chavin de Huantar astounds by the perfection of its pieces in which the beginning waverings do not appear, but shows great beauty in its shapes and in the firing. Among the different styles which arose, is distinguished from north to south the artistic taste of the artistic Mochica in its phase V, the rich iconography representing gods, lords, priests and warriors luxuriously decked out.

Recuay has a marked interest for scenes of personages in volume, while in the central zone of Lima offers a ceramic with a fine brilliant orange-colored paste. Farther south, first Paracas with its incised ceramic painted post firing and later, Nazca which, through numerous phases shows very fine paste and great coloring in its drawings.

In the highlands, Wari exhibits great ceremonial jars with representations of food plants which show an inquietude for provisions; its personages luxuriously dressed showing painted faces. The coastal Wari style from the vicinity of Pisco, found by the archaeologist Martha Anders, presents personages especially feminine or pumas from whose bodies emerge the plants useful to man.

In a much later epoch, Chancay pottery, on the north-central coast is distinguished by a crude paste, of just two colors, which in contrast shows great elegance and sobriety. We wonder if it is due to rejection of previous styles and a daring "modern" reform in their ceramic.

Finally, Inca ceramic different from all the other previous styles, insists on geometrical drawings with a marked taste for tones and ranges of brown and sepia.