Moche Culture

The Moche culture (also known as Mochica) arose between the northern coast and the valleys of ancient Peru, in particular, in the Chicama and Trujillo valleys, between 1 and 800 AD. The Moche state eventually reached from the Huarmey Valley in the south to the Piura Valley in the north, and even extended its influence as far away as the Chincha Islands. The Moche territory was linguistically divided by two separate but related languages: Muchic (spoken north of the Lambayeque Valley) and Quingan. The two areas also displayed different artistic and architectural styles, and thus the Moche state can be described as a confederation rather than a single, unified entity.

The Moche were contemporary with the Nazca culture (200 BC - 600 AD) further along the coast, but thanks to their conquests of surrounding territories, they were able to accumulate the wealth and power necessary to establish themselves as one of the most important early Andean cultures. old and unique The Moche also excelled in art to such an aesthetic degree that their naturalistic and colorful murals, ceramics, and metalwork are among the most outstanding in the Americas.

Moche

The capital, known simply as Moche and which gives its name to the culture that founded it, is located at the foot of the Cerro Blanco mountain and originally covered an area of 300 hectares. In addition to urban accommodation, plazas, warehouses, and work buildings, it also has impressive monuments that include two massive adobe brick pyramid-shaped burial mounds. These monumental structures, in their original state, show typical features of Moche architecture: multiple levels, access via ramps, and a sloping roof.

The largest "pyramid" is the Huaca del Sol, which has four levels and is 40 m high today. Originally it was 50 m high, covered an area of 340 x 160 m, and was built with around 140 million bricks, each stamped with a maker's mark. A ramp on the north side gives access to the summit, which is a platform in the shape of a cross. The smallest structure, known as the Huaca de la Luna, measures 500 m across and was built with around 50 million adobe bricks. It has three levels and is decorated with friezes showing Moche mythology and rituals. The entire structure was once enclosed within a large adobe brick wall. Both pyramids were built around AD 450, were originally brightly colored in red, white, yellow and black, and were used as an imposing setting for rituals and ceremonies. Spanish conquistadors later diverted the Moche River to demolish the Huaca del Sol and loot the tombs within, suggesting that the pyramid was also used by the Moche for generations as a mausoleum for important people.

The buildings excavated between the two pyramid-mounds include many large residences with courtyards enclosed by walls. The fields around the site are arranged in a regular grid pattern of small rectangular plots, sometimes with a small mud-brick viewing platform, suggesting some sort of elite status of supervision and control (Kurakas). . Moche agriculture benefited from the extensive system of canals, reservoirs, and aqueducts, so that the land could support a population of around 25,000 people.

Other Moche sites include a pilgrimage center at Pacatnamú, a mountaintop site above the Jequetepeque River and actually used since the Early Intermediate Period (200 B.C.). There are also administrative centers in Panamarca (where there is another large adobe brick mound, this time with an ascent ramp leading to the top of the structure) and in Huancaco in the Viru valley and Pampa de Los Incas in the Viru valley. Santa.

Moche Religion

Initially, Moche religion and art were influenced by the early Chavín culture (900-200 BC) and by the final stages of the Chimú culture. Knowledge of the Moche pantheon is incomplete, but we do know of Al Paec the creator or god of the sky (or his son) and Si, the goddess of the moon. Al Paec, typically depicted in Moche art with ferocious fangs, a jaguar headdress, serpentine earrings, was believed to inhabit high mountains. To appease him, human sacrifices were offered, especially from prisoners of war but also from Moche citizens, and his blood was offered in ritual cups. If she was considered the supreme deity, because she was the goddess who controlled the seasons and storms she had such an influence on agriculture and daily life. In addition, the moon was considered even more powerful than the sun because it could be both at night and during the day. Also interesting is the fact that murals and discoveries such as the intact tomb of the priestess, known as the Lady of Cao, illustrate that women could play a prominent role in Moche religion and ceremony.

Another frequent deity appearing in Moche art is the half-man, half-jaguar Decapitator god, so called because he is sometimes depicted holding a vicious-looking ceremonial knife (tumi) in one hand, and severed heads of sacrificial victims in the other. The god can also be represented as the figure of a giant spider prepared to suck the lifeblood of its victims. The fact that these scenes reflect real-life events is supported by archaeological finds, such as the one at the foot of the Huaca de la Luna, where the skeletons of 40 men under the age of thirty show evidence of having been mutilated and thrown from the tip of the pyramid. The bones of the skeletons show cut marks, the limbs were torn from their positions and the jaw bones are missing from the cut skeletons. Interestingly, the bodies rest on top of soft soil as a result of the heavy El Niño rains, revealing that sacrifices may have been offered to the Moche gods in order to alleviate this environmental disaster. Ceremonial cups containing traces of human blood have also been discovered, and tombs have revealed costumed and bejeweled individuals, almost exactly like the religious figures symbolized in Moche murals.

Moche Art

Many examples of fine Moche art have been recovered from the tombs of Sipán (AD 300), San José de Moro (AD 550), and Huaca Cao Viejo, which are some of the best-preserved burial sites of any Andean culture. The Moche were accomplished potters and superb metalworkers, and the finds include exquisite gold headdresses and breastplates, gold, silver, and turquoise jewelry (especially ear spools and nose ornaments), textiles, tumi knives, and plates. copper and drinking vessels. Vessels of fine pottery were often made with moulds, but each was individually and distinctively decorated; typically using cream, red and brown colors. Perhaps the most famous vessels are the highly realistic portrait stirrup spouted pots. These have portraits of people considered real, and several examples may have represented the same individual. In fact, one face (easily identified by its broken lip) appears on more than 40 pots.

Ceramic forms and decorations consolidated over time and became more and more elaborate, although, on the other hand, the topics became less varied in late Moche ceramics and art in general. One of the most distinctive styles created by the Moche uses silhouetted figures embellished with fine line detailing very similar to that of Greek black-figure pottery. Ceramic effigy figures are also common, especially of musicians, priests, and captives.

Popular subjects in Moche art (as seen in wall paintings, friezes, ceramic decoration, and fine metal objects) include humans, anthropomorphic figures (especially fanged cats), fish, and crabs. Complete scenes are also common, especially religious ceremonies with warrior priests and birds, shamans, coca rituals, armed warriors, ritual and real warfare with its resulting captives, hunting episodes and, of course, deities — scenes showing night skies crossed by crescent ships, carrying figures like Si. Many of these scenes are designed to capture narratives and, above all, action: the figures are always doing something in Moche art.

Mochica architecture

The Mochica architecture was marked by the use of adobe, all its magnificent creations were made from this material. And although they did not have a structural planning.

The Moches made great architectural constructions that currently generate great amazement and admiration. There are still evidences of these wonderful constructions. As are the huaca del sol, and the huaca de la luna, these spectacular works were built to be religious and governmental centers.

Another of the constructions that cause great admiration is the irrigation and irrigation system that they used to convert the desert into a large crop of vegetables.

How was the economic activity of the Mochicas?

The Mochicas exerted great influence in the region, due to the economic system that they had implemented to survive. This was based mainly on fishing, agriculture and livestock.

Due to the vast territory that the Moches inhabited, they made a type of boat called "Caballitos de Totora" for fishing. Of which even today they use them for that purpose. For agriculture they implemented the irrigation system that allowed them to grow their food, without fear of the sun.

Contributions of the Mochica culture

The Mochica culture made great contributions, even to modern society, due to its inventions and innovations for the time. Which are:

They made innumerable murals, where they captured images and representative figures.
They built a large canal and irrigation system throughout the desert region.
Raising animals with high protein content for human consumption.
Use of organic elements to improve crops.
Implementation of a large irrigation system to strengthen and improve agriculture.

How was the Mochica society organized?

According to historical data, Mochica society was organized through social classes, which were classified according to political, religious, economic, and social power. It was a totally theocratic civilization, which during its heyday came to be divided into two large territories, the north and the south. These territories were dominated by a single governor or king.

However, it was structured under an administrative power, where the ruler was first, then the high priest, the priestesses and the military chief. As well as a group of elders and nobles. Then there were the people and the working class, which was largely dedicated to fishing, hunting and agriculture, as well as engineers and craftsmen. Finally, there were the slaves.

Religion was strongly linked to political power, in fact, the huacas were built with the purpose of erecting as religious and political centers.

Why did the Mochica culture end?

The end of the Mochica culture began in the 6th century when a devastating phenomenon destroyed the buildings and architectural fortresses. This natural disaster caused the loss of crops, as well as the pyramids and palaces.

As a consequence of the terrible meteorological phenomenon, many of the inhabitants began to fall ill.

Due to the weakness that the empire was experiencing, many of the leaders started internal wars, which brought about the end of the Moche empire and civilization in its entirety.

How does the Mochica culture influence today?

This culture currently covers Peru with a great cultural and ancestral legacy, the wonderful artistic and architectural works. Just as engineering and metallurgy make it a fascinating and attractive culture.

The ceramic works, the elaboration of murals and other artistic creations allow them to become Cultural Heritage of humanity.

Questions and answers

What is the Moche culture known for?

The Moche culture of Peru is particularly known for its colorful, naturalistic art in ceramics and metalwork.

Who were the Moche and where did they settle?

The Moche were a confederation of small states in the ancient Andes. They flourished along the northern coast and valleys of what is now Peru, particularly in the Chicama and Trujillo valleys, between AD 1 and 800.

What is the most famous example of Moche art?

The most famous examples of Moche art include beaten gold masks and ceramic pouring vessels, both of which were made to represent a human head. Many of these ceramic vessels are considered by experts to be representations of people who were alive and, therefore, as true portraits.

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Edwin Caviedes is the founder and manager of Tierras Vivas, a company that benefits native people communities.

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