Moche

The Moche civilization (alternatively, the Mochica culture, Early Chimu, Pre-Chimu, Proto-Chimu, etc.)

flourishes in northern Peru from about 100 CE to 800 CE, during the Regional Development Epoch.

While this issue is the subject of some debate, many scholars contend that the Moche were not politically organized as a monolithic empire or state.

Rather, they were likely a group of autonomous polities that shared a common elite culture, as seen in the rich iconography and monumental architecture that survive today.

They are particularly noted for their elaborately painted ceramics, gold work, monumental constructions (huacas) and irrigation systems.

Moche history may be broadly divided into three periods – the emergence of the Moche culture in Early Moche (CE 100–300), its expansion and florescence during Middle Moche (CE 300–600), and the urban nucleation and subsequent collapse in Late Moche (CE 500–750).

Moche society is agriculturally based, with a significant level of investment in the construction of a network of irrigation canals for the diversion of river water to supply their crops.

Their culture is sophisticated; and their artifacts express their lives, with detailed scenes of hunting, fishing, fighting, sacrifice, sexual encounters and elaborate ceremonies.The Moche cultural sphere is centered around several valleys on the north coast of Peru – Lambayeque, Jequetepeque, Chicama, Moche, Virú, Chao, Santa, and Nepena.

The Huaca del Sol, a pyramidal adobe structure on the Rio Moche, the largest extant pre-Columbian structure in Peru, is was partly destroyed when Spanish Conquistadores mine its graves for gold.

Fortunately the nearby Huaca de la Luna remains largely intact; it contains many colorful murals with complex iconography.

It has been under archeological excavation since the early 1990s.

Other major Moche sites include Sipan, Pampa Grande, Loma Negra, Dos Cabezas, Pacatnamu, San Jose de Moro, the El Brujo complex, Mocollope, Cerro Mayal, Galindo, Huanchaco, and Panamarca.

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