<P> A combination of symmetry and asymmetry were used in the design and planning of the site construction, and in fact guided the design . There were centered placements of staircases, entrances and patios, all of which were consistently prominent . In the last stages of construction, due to constraints, centeredness was no longer possible, so architects shifted to constructing symmetrical pairs . Externally, buildings were asymmetrical to each other . </P> <P> The primary construction material used were quartzite / sandstone, white granite and black limestone . Alternate coursing of quartzite was used in the major platforms, while white sandstone and white granite were used interchangeably in the architecture, and were almost always cut and polished . Granite and black - veined limestone were the raw materials used in almost all of the engraved lithic art at the site . Granite was also used extensively in the construction of the Circular Plaza . </P> <P> Stone faced platform mounds at the site were made using an orderly fill of rectangular quartzite blocks in leveled layers . Platforms were built directly on top of fallen wall stones from earlier constructions, as there were little to no attempt to remove debris . </P> <P> The Chavín culture represents the first widespread, recognizable artistic style in the Andes . Chavín art can be divided into two phases: The first phase corresponding to the construction of the "Old Temple" at Chavín de Huantar (c. 900--500 BCE); and the second phase corresponding to the construction of Chavín de Huantar's "New Temple" (c. 500--200 BCE). </P>

Which civilization began and ended within the period of chavin civilization