The Chavín culture, which flourished in the Andean highlands of Peru from approximately 900 to 200 BCE, is considered one of the earliest pre-Columbian civilizations in South America, known for its sophisticated art, architecture, and religious iconography. It served as a unifying cultural force across the region, influencing subsequent Andean societies through its complex ceremonial center at Chavín de Huántar and its distinctive artistic style characterized by intricate stone carvings and pottery.