essay
Spiders and spider decapitators in Moche iconography: identification from the contexts of Sipan, antecedents and symbolism
art and archaeology of the moche : an ancient andean society of the peruvian north coast • Austin • Published In 2008 • Pages: 247-261
By: Alva Meneses, Nestor Ignacio.
Abstract
The tombs excavated at Sipán in the Lambayeque Valley contained representations of spiders and anthropomorphized spider beings. In this document the iconography of spider representations from Cupisnique through Moche times in the northern and southern Moche regions is traced. It is argued that the spider represented is a north coast orb-weaving spider that has a pattern on its abdomen resembling a human face. The spider was used as a metaphor for rain, ritual sacrifice, duality, and the cycle of life and death, perhaps even symbolizing a center or axis mundi uniting the two realms.
- HRAF PubDate
- 2015
- Region
- South America
- Sub Region
- Central Andes
- Document Type
- essay
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Archaeologist
- Document Rating
- 4: Excellent Secondary Data
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- Sarah Berry; 2013
- Field Date
- 1987
- Coverage Date
- 3000-1200 BP (1000 BC-AD 800)
- Coverage Place
- Piura, Lambayeque, La Libertad and Ancash regions (north coast), Peru
- Notes
- Nestor Ignacio Alva Meneses
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 261)
- LCCN
- 2008027539
- LCSH
- Moche (Peru)--Antiquities