The Diaguitas

This people existed between the VIIIth and XVth centuries A.D., and it was contemporary to the Atacameño culture.

Their arrival of the Diaguitas people is thought to have replaced the Molle culture, which extended from the valley of the Huasco, in the north, to the Choapa, in the south.
Diaguitas people are known for their ceramic art, wich is characterized by their fine trimmings and rich decoration with geometric figures.
Their houses were built with vegetable materials, and to divide the land theyb used stone walls, of Atacameño influence, known as "pircas".
Different grave-styles speak about their spiritual evolution and about their belief in a supernatural life and in divinities.
The Diaguita's teritory, mainly the valleys, was divided in two: The upper and middle part. Each half recognized a chief or cacique who ruler over minors chiefs.
The Diaguita's economy was based on agriculture and livestock breeding, supplemented with some large bird hunting and trade among villages. They cultivated corn, teak, beans and pumpkins.