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 coastAustin • 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.
Subjects
Fauna
Visual arts
Burial practices and funerals
Cosmology
Ethnozoology
tradition
Moche
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