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ANTH 336  New World Prehistory
Dr. Darlene Applegate
Fall 2006
Andean South America Culture Area
Chimu State



       
TIME PERIOD

AD 100 - 1476

Second Intermediate Period


LOCATION

northern coast of Peru

centered in Moche Valley

map
Map Showing the Location of the Chimu Civilization.
http://www.go2peru.com/webapp/ilatintravel/articulo.jsp?cod=1998824


ORIGINS

rooted in previous Moche civilization?


SUBSISTENCE

agriculture based on very extensive, large-scale irrigation

unique use of sunken agricultural fields

use of marine resources


DIAGNOSTIC ARTIFACTS

renowned for metal working skills and artistry

well-developed textile industry


goldgoldmask
Chimu Metal Objects: (Left) Gold Monkey Vessel, (Center) Gold Musician Statue,
and (Right) Gold-Silver Alloy Death Mask with Copper Ears and Eyes.
http://www.peru-explorer.com/PERU-EXPLORER.2002/peru_travel_center/chimu.jpg
http://www.abc-latina.com/civilisations/chimu.htm
http://www.britannica.com/eb/art-4764

mantletextile
Chimu Textiles: (Left) Mantle with Bird and Tuna Motifs and (Right) Textile with Feline Motifs.
http://www.textilearts.com/precolumbian/15533pc.html
http://exchanges.state.gov/culprop/1peru/fi/00000000.htm



SETTLEMENT STRATEGY

regional system of low population densities

rural sites evenly distributed around capital city

provincial administrative centers linked to capital by roads
  

SITES

Chan Chan - capital

chan
Aerial Photograph of Chan Chan, the Capital of the Chimu Civilization.
http://www.go2peru.com/webapp/ilatintravel/articulo.jsp?cod=1998824

chan
Adobe Walls with Open Weave and Bird Decorative Elements at Chan Chan.
http://www.textilearts.com/precolumbian/15533pc.html


SOCIO-POLITICAL ORGANIZATION

very rigid social classes of three tiers

top-heavy political organization

new rulers built own palaces and raised own finances

used the practice of resettling conquered peoples in order to administer the state


DECLINE

vulnerable to drought due to heavy reliance on irrigation agriculture

vulnerable to outside attack

top-heavy bureaucracy over-stretched resources, as did fund-raising by each ruler



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Page composed by Darlene Applegate, darlene.applegate@wku.edu
Last updated on December 5, 2006
All contents copyright (c), 2006. Western Kentucky University.