ANTH 336 New World Prehistory
Dr. Darlene Applegate
Fall 2006
Andean South America
Culture
Area
Moche State
Considered
by most archaeologists to be the first state-level society in Andean
South America.
TIME PERIOD
200 BC - AD 600
Early Intermediate Period
LOCATION
northern coast of Peru
centered in Moche Valley
influence spanned multiple river valleys state including Santa Valley
ORIGINS
may be related to control of trade, mobilization of work force, and/or
unifying religion
SUBSISTENCE
agriculture based on large-scale irrigation systems
use of marine resources
DIAGNOSTIC ARTIFACTS
Moche or Mochica art style:
mostly depicted on ceramics and in
textiles
red is dominant color
portrait vessels or head pots:
depictions of the heads and faces of
individuals of high rank
SETTLEMENT STRATEGY
Moche Valley settlement
involved ceremonial centers sustained by surrounding farmsteads
Santa
Valley involved larger sites, hilltop "castles" and shrines, and valley
ceremonial centers
monumental architecture includes pyramids and
irrigation systems
SITES
Moche: largest adobe structures in Peru are Huaca del Sol
and de la Luna
Sipan: elaborate tombs of elite Moche individuals
Galindo
Cerro Arena
POLITICAL ORGANIZATION
first Peruvian state
Moche Valley: centralized power shifted among ceremonial centers
Santa Valley: small, equal fiefdoms controlling trade routes surrounded
by agricultural lands; corvee or conscripted labor system used to
mobilize workers
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