essay

The land in front of Chan Chan: agrarian expansion, reform, and collapse in the Moche Valley

chan chan: andean desert city • Albuquerque • Published In 2010 • Pages: 25-53

By: Moseley, Michael Edward, Deeds, Eric E..

Abstract

The large canals that were constructed around Chan Chan in the Moche Valley starting in the Initial Period (around 3400 BP) are taken as evidence of political power. At its height, Chan Chan controlled over sixty-six percent of irrigated coastal lands; this despite the fact that Moche is only a medium-sized valley. A model for this impressive concentration is formulated through a review of local developments contrasted with adjacent valleys, concluding that the Moche Valley system provided economic conditions favorable for repeated political ascendancy of the local population, up to the Colonial era city of Trujillo. Descriptions of the canals are given by time period, including construction histories and evidence for episodes of erosion and siltation.

HRAF PubDate

2015

Region

South America

Sub Region

Central Andes

Document Type

essay

Evaluation

Creator Type

Archaeologist

Document Rating

4: Excellent Secondary Data

Analyst

Sarah Berry; 2014

Field Date

not specified

Coverage Date

1100-524 BP (AD 900-1476)

Coverage Place

Trujillo province (Moche Valley), La Libertad, Peru

Notes

Michael E. Moseley and Eric E. Deeds

For bibliographical references see document 18:[Moseley and Day] (2010, References)

Reprint of 1982 copy

LCCN

80054567

LCSH

Chanchán (Peru)