Iconography meets archaeology

Benson, Elizabeth P.

essay

Iconography meets archaeology

art and archaeology of the moche : an ancient andean society of the peruvian north coast • Austin • Published In 2008 • Pages: 1-21

By: Benson, Elizabeth P..

Abstract
The author uses newly available archaeological evidence in an empirical examination of Moche art, demonstrating that the often detailed, naturalistic works were a far more literal depiction of Moche culture than previously believed, with artifacts matching and even enriching knowledge about actual objects, individuals, places and events. One example is a draping, multimedia feline costume element with a gold encased wooden head and body of hide and cloth with claws from a burial cache in Huaca de La Luna, an item known from iconographic depictions of the coca rite. A scepter from Sipán depicts a roof lined with the clay maces found in excavation of structures at various sites. Weapons bundles appearing in the art have been unearthed. The author cautions, however, against assuming all Moche art is directly representative. For instance, warfare shown as face-to-face combat may be a kind of metonymy. Description of some of the differences between the iconography of the northern and southern regions is included.

Recreational and non-therapeutic drugs

HRAF PubDate

2015

Region