essay

Communality and diversity in Moche human sacrifice

art and archaeology of the moche : an ancient andean society of the peruvian north coastAustin • Published In 2008 • Pages: 195-213

By: Verano, John W..

Abstract
Three incidents of human sacrifice at Huacas De Moche are described that took place in two separate periods and plazas: in Plaza 3c from 1880-1770 BP and in Plaza 3a from 1470-1420 and 1880-1770 BP. The pattern uncovered is consistent with the ritual killing of captives known from Moche iconography. Skeletal evidence is presented for combat wounds and the manner of sacrifice. Several tombs were found in both plazas, and it is supposed that their occupants may have been involved with the sacrifice of the victims. The stratigraphy indicates the sacrificial events were not in direct response to an environmental crisis like an El Niño.
Subjects
Morbidity
Mortality
Visual arts
Burial practices and funerals
Prayers and sacrifices
Organized ceremonial
Chronologies and culture sequences
Cultural stratigraphy
tradition
Moche
HRAF PubDate
2015
Region
South America
Sub Region
Central Andes
Document Type
essay
Evaluation
Creator Type
Physical Anthropologist
Document Rating
4: Excellent Secondary Data
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Sarah Berry; 2013
Field Date
1995-2001
Coverage Date
1880-1420 BP (AD 120-580)
Coverage Place
Plaza 3, Huaca de La Luna (Huacas de Moche), Moche district, Trujillo (Moche Valley), La Libertad, Peru
Notes
John W. Verano
Includes bibliographical references (p. 211-213)
LCCN
2008027539
LCSH
Moche (Peru)--Antiquities