The origins and development of civilization are vital components to the understanding of the cultural processes that create human societies. Comparing and contrasting the evolutionary sequences from different civilizations is one approach to discovering their unique development. One area for comparison is in the Central Andes where several societies remained in isolation without a written language. As a direct result, the only resource to understand these societies is their material artifacts.
In this second volume, the focus is on the art and landscape remains and what they uncover about societies of the Central Andes region. The ancient art and landscape, revealing the range and richness of the societies of the area significantly shaped the development of Andean archaeology. This work includes discussions on:

- pottery and textiles;
- iconography and symbols;
- ideology;
- geoglyphs and rock art.

From the Reviews:
"...these volumes stand as an excellent overview of current Andean archaeological research, outside the confines of a particular school or perspective. This is, to my knowledge, the first English-language edited overview of Andean archaeology to be produced in at least 10 years. Both volumes should be on the shelves of all Andean prehistorians and university libraries, and could also provide an introduction to current Andean research for archaeologists working in other places. For those who teach an undergraduate course on the prehistory of the Andes either or both books would provide an excellent, and conveniently packaged, selection of in-depth materials that could accompany a more general text. Those with a general interest in the prehistory of the Andes will find much detail in Silverman and Isbell's volumes. The authors are to be congratulated on such a wide-ranging collection, and here is hoping that their wish to add further volumes to the series is realized in the near future."
(Ross W. Jamieson, Canadian Journal of Latin American and Caribbean Studies)