Abstract

Red, white and black are colours commonly found in rock paintings around the globe. In northern Chile's Atacama desert, visual representations produceds between 2000 BC and 1550 BCE also include yellow, orange, violet, blue and green. This polychrome usage is particularly notable in the dress of anthropomorphs and is characerized by extreme attention to detail and the use of an exclusive set of raw materials. Thes unique aspects enable us to discuss the value and meaning of colour in past societies throughout different periods of the local sequence, beyond its consideration as a stylistic indicator.