nca pottery was minimally sculpted and tended to employ repetitive geometric patterns with few naturalistic motifs. As with many things in their empire, utility was the most important factor, so their most typical pottery is the large water containers or aryballos that could be strapped onto people’s backs. The arrival of the Spaniards meant that much of this pottery was smashed, particularly anything considered idolatrous, and the old traditions and culture were lost. But for the tourist, some of the colonial wares are also very beautiful pieces, to be appreciated in their own right.