Middle Horizon

The Middle Horizon was a period in ancient Andean civilization, roughly from 600 to 1000 CE. This era was characterized by the expansion of political rule from two main centers: Tiwanaku in the southern Altiplano and Huari near modern Ayacucho, Peru.1

This period saw significant cultural and political integration across wide areas of the central Andes, including parts of modern-day Bolivia, Peru, and potentially extending to coastal regions. Archaeological evidence suggests that Huari, in particular, may have functioned as a state with administrative structures, large-scale storage facilities, and symbols of a ruling class. The expansion of these polities is evident in the spread of Huari pottery styles and the adoption of their designs on textiles, often replacing older regional styles. This era also saw the construction of new administrative centers and evidence of military activity, suggesting conquest played a role in their expansion. The Middle Horizon eventually declined, leading to the emergence of new regional styles and kingdoms in the subsequent Late Intermediate Period.1