Moche

From tomb at Sipan

Civilizations of PeruCivilizations of Peru

Civilizations of South America Civilizations of South America

Before the IncaBefore the Inca

Numerous advanced cultures predate the Inca

• Civilization in Peru is found first along the coast.

• Thin strip of coast meet very high mountains.

• First cultures were hunter/gatherers who exploited marine resources, settled in coastal villages

Important pre-Inca CivilizationsImportant pre-Inca Civilizations

• El Pariso culture (earliest settlement to about 2000 BC)

• Chavin de Huantar (fantastic pottery, 1000 BC-1 AD then phases out)

• Moche (greatest pyramids, 200BC-500AD)

• Chan Chan (desert city of the Chimu, example of urban planning, 1000-1500 AD)

El ParisoEl Pariso

• From about 4000 BC (6000 BCE)

• Situated in dry dessert region

• Monumental public architecture begins to be constructed around 2500 BC, several phases

Maritime HypothesisMaritime Hypothesis[[Developed byDeveloped by Michael Mosely]Michael Mosely]

• Exploitation of marine resources, such as fish, shellfish, sea mammals, birds

• Agriculture of minor importance for main subsistence.

• Crops supplement diet.

• El Nino was most critical influence over resource base and well being of the civilization

• Sea level changes , climate shifts and uplifting affect coastal settlement.

EvidenceEvidence

• Archaeological recovery of woven nets, shellfish debris, fishbone, seabird bone

• Recovery of coprolites indicating diet rich in fish. Bone chemistry analysis supports this finding.

• Geophysical evidence of El Nino affect.

• Environmental archaeology of changing climates and water temperature fluctuations—active and measurable today.

• Crop types variable; irrigation systems take advantage of nearby streams.

Chavin de HuantarChavin de Huantar

• Early polity in the lower Andean highlands at 10,000 feet.

• Ceremonial center with anthropomorphic statuary and stylized carvings.

• Platform temples

• Extremely fine pottery

Stanford excavation.

Evidence of anthropomorphic art in carvings and frescos and shamanistic practices.

Note nasal discharge

• Peak occupation episode from 850-200 BC

• Several thousand people living around the site in villages

• The complex was located at confluence of two rivers.

• Strategic site.

• Agricultural development and

hunting.• Terracing of hillsides

See text page 152, 164 Moseley

The Lanzon (“the great image” Anthropomorphic image carved in stone pillar. This stelae is of greatest importance at Chavin.

See page 169, Moseley.

Chavin HorizonChavin Horizon

• Horizon: cultural fluorescence and wide spread affects on the region. Evidence in architecture and art.

• Mystery: who were these people? Where where they from? What brought them to build in the mountains rather than the coast? How did they end?

MocheMoche

• Masters of pottery art

• Master builders

• Ritualized war among elite cults leading to sacrifice of defeated warriors.

• King/Priest/Deity

Moche left us a unique legacy of their culture in pottery art.

Naturalistic and sensitive portrayals, often illustrating humor, realism, and fun. Others depict horror and pain.

Moche pyramid, Huaca del Sol, made from millions of adobe bricks. Only one third original size. Largest of South America.

• Moche systems of agriculture eclipsed what came before. Put more land under cultivation than is in the region today.

• Continued to exploit marine resources.

• Ritual life became elaborate and reached into all sectors of life.

Moche stirrup jars

(portrait jars).

The Moche portrayed every aspect of daily life and ritual. The jars held more than functional meaning, but also convey spiritual and ritual significance.

Schematic from of ritual stirrup jar. Scene shows defeated warriors having throat cut and blood of victim presented to warrior/priest by female warrior/priestess to drink.

• Environmental evidence indicates strong El Nino disruptions around 500 AD and again around 700 AD. A combination of floods, drought and earthquakes may have brought an end to the Moche. Their civilization in the fragile coastal desert ecosystem was simply unsustainable.