The Moche lived along the Peruvian coastline, primarily within the lower river valley. This area was very rich in clay and metals, providing excellent resources for skilled Moche artisans to create fine pieces of art.
Moche was the first state to be formed in the northern Andean region and was a key player during the "Early Intermediate Period." The Moche dominated around 1-600 AD, expanding from Pacasmayo Valley to the Santa and Nepena Valleys.
Large irrigation and ditch channels were created to produce productive farming in the desert land to grow maize, peanuts, peppers, and sweet potatoes. The pottery and gold work done by Moche artists is some of the most extravagant and amazing within the Andean region. Goldsmiths mastered gilding, making alloys, and casting by wax and moulds. Potters used moulds to produce a vast array of pots which were decorated with a wide range of scenes. These ranged from everyday life events, warfare, and ritual customs.
The Moche capital lay at Cerro Blanco, with two large platform mound complexes some 500 meters apart. Huaca de la Luna was the smaller, laying on the side of the White Hill. Huaca del Sol dominated the area, being one of the largest structures built of adobe in the Andes. Individual housing units that have been excavated in this area have shown homes with specialized craftsmen and workers, from elegant pottery and shards that were found. Others were residences of nobles or "upper class" citizens. A great portion of the Huaca del Sol was destroyed when the Spanish diverted the water from the Rio Moche to mine it...hoping to find great riches and gold. Today the Huaca del Sol platform measures some 340x160 meters and stands over 40 meters high.
Due to some documentation, there was treasure discovered during some of the "looting" operations prior to the river being diverted to cut through the mound and wash out its contents. This, and other evidence has suggested that Huaca del Sol was most likely the imperial palace and prime location for the heads of the Moche state. The bricks used on these large adobe structures each have very unique "makers marks" on them. By examining this...one is able to see where these bricks lay and who had created them. |
