Violent activities in the ancient Andes included warfare, games, ritual combats and human sacrifices. Each of these activities is documented through various lines of archaeological evidence, such as weaponry, defensive structures, and physical evidence of violence.Ancient Andean weapons includedslings, stones, maces, spears and knives. Of these, stone and metal mace heads were probably the most popular. Mace heads have a central hole through which a wooden shaft was placed. Certain metal mace heads, due to their fragile appearance, are interpreted as symbolic weapons for high-status warriors. These metal mace heads would imitate the most common stone specimens, only with more elaborate decoration and designs.Elements of combat equipment are often represented in the artwork of ancient Andeans. For example, maces and spears are common in combat imagery. This imagery is used by archaeologists to interpret the material evidence discovered during excavations and reconstruct ancient patterns of warfare.In the ancient Andes, warfare had various functions. It regulated conflicts between competing groups and was often related to religion. It also played a central role in the expansion of political realms over vast territories. In Inca times, for instance, military service was compulsory in order to maintain a powerful royal army.

In the Andes, however, warfare was also part of elaborate rituals. The Moche, for example, sacrificed warriors and it is believed that ritual combats were organized by elites. For the Incas, and among many present-day Andean communities, specific rituals, such as tinkus, involve violent encounters.

Tinkus are rituals that unify segments of Andean society. Tinkus can take several different forms, and one of these involves ritual battles. Combative tinku can involve only two opponents engaged in a duel, or it can involve entire communities. Through these violent competitions, social tensions between the groups are released and social bonds reaffirmed.