The ceramic art reached great heights in the agricultural cultures of the north and center of the country, before the arrival of the Europeans. They defined and characterized, in good measure, the cultures that made them.
Two styles stand out in the ceramic work of San Pedro de Atacama: the Red Polished and the Black Polished, before the stage of cultural bloom, with Tiawanaku influence (3 to 9 BC).

The ceramics of the region of Atacama, besides the abundant and usefull "Pucos" (Bowls), is represented by delicated dishes, globular pitchers, jugs and cups.
The human figure, although seen rigid in different colours, it´s of an abstract and a amazing modernity, been able to grasp the essential features of it´s people, the human emotions and the phantasmagoric of the reproduction, reflecting with it a hard life. The mayority of the pictures are painted in blackover a white bottom. Occasionaly the black figures are alternated with red ones, but this three colour combination is exceptional.
In the decoration the triangles and step figures are tipical, generally combines one with the other.