Most travelers automatically associate Peru with the famed Incas and Machu Picchu. However, Peru is a country rich in culture and history – and not all of that legacy belongs to the Incas. Over the past few years, archeologists have begun to focus more attention on ruins scattered in Northern Peru and along the coast, most of which belong to the Moche civilization – a culture that predates the Incas by almost 700 years.
In the late 1980’s, Peruvian archeologist Walter Alva discovered a mummy in an undisturbed tomb, now referred to as the “Lord of Sipan.” This Peruvian region where the Lord of Sipan was discovered, Huaca Rajada, is a known burial location for the Moche and four tombs have been unearthed here. Because of the status and position of ruler that the Lord of Sipan held in Moche culture, he was buried with eight other people, including his wife, two concubines, a watchman, military commander, and child. Beneath his tomb, an older Lord of Sipan was also found along with the tomb of a priest.
Recent discoveries about the Moche civilization has created a buzz throughout Peru. Previously known for producing diverse and intricate pottery, evidence suggests the Moche mass-produced pots and ceramics using molding technology. Over the past few decades, archeologists have begun to investigate the historical importance of the paintings on the ceramics, including pictures of gruesome acts of war and ritual slaughters. The mosaics on the walls of the Huaca de la Luna and the Huaca del Sol, two pyramids located 4 kilometers outside the city of Trujillo in Northern Peru, also display similar pictures.
In recent years, new evidence has surfaced proving these images were much more than creative works of art. During the excavation of a nearby plaza, two layers of human remains were unearthed, one from 150 A.D. and the other from 500 A.D. Forensic evidence suggests that most of the remains belonged to young men who participated in combat regularly. Further investigation revealed that the men died from having their throats slit or had been decapitated, paralleling the images depicted on the walls throughout the region.
Although Peruvian travel has been previously dominated by historical trips to Machu Picchu and various other Inca ruins, the Moche are proving to be an interesting alternative as more historical information is uncovered.
In the late 1980’s, Peruvian archeologist Walter Alva discovered a mummy in an undisturbed tomb, now referred to as the “Lord of Sipan.” This Peruvian region where the Lord of Sipan was discovered, Huaca Rajada, is a known burial location for the Moche and four tombs have been unearthed here. Because of the status and position of ruler that the Lord of Sipan held in Moche culture, he was buried with eight other people, including his wife, two concubines, a watchman, military commander, and child. Beneath his tomb, an older Lord of Sipan was also found along with the tomb of a priest.
Recent discoveries about the Moche civilization has created a buzz throughout Peru. Previously known for producing diverse and intricate pottery, evidence suggests the Moche mass-produced pots and ceramics using molding technology. Over the past few decades, archeologists have begun to investigate the historical importance of the paintings on the ceramics, including pictures of gruesome acts of war and ritual slaughters. The mosaics on the walls of the Huaca de la Luna and the Huaca del Sol, two pyramids located 4 kilometers outside the city of Trujillo in Northern Peru, also display similar pictures.
In recent years, new evidence has surfaced proving these images were much more than creative works of art. During the excavation of a nearby plaza, two layers of human remains were unearthed, one from 150 A.D. and the other from 500 A.D. Forensic evidence suggests that most of the remains belonged to young men who participated in combat regularly. Further investigation revealed that the men died from having their throats slit or had been decapitated, paralleling the images depicted on the walls throughout the region.
Although Peruvian travel has been previously dominated by historical trips to Machu Picchu and various other Inca ruins, the Moche are proving to be an interesting alternative as more historical information is uncovered.
