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 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
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
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
Aerial Photograph of Chan Chan, the Capital of the Chimu Civilization.
http://www.go2peru.com/webapp/ilatintravel/articulo.jsp?cod=1998824
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
Return to Unit 4
Web Notes Listing
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Page composed by Darlene Applegate, darlene.applegate@wku.edu
Last updated on December 5, 2006
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