essay

Farfan, general Pacatnamu, and the dynastic history of Chimor

northern dynasties : kingship and statecraft in chimor: a symposium at dumbarton oaks, 12th and 13th october 1985 • Washington, D.C. • Published In 1990 • Pages: 227-242

By: Conrad, Geoffrey W..

Abstract

This document covers the traditional history and archaeological evidence concerning General Pacatnamu and his provincial capital; probably the site of Farfan, an intrusive Chimu administrative center with architecture similar to the [i]ciudadelas[/i] of Chan Chan, an [i]audiencia[/i], storerooms, and a burial platform. The burial platform presumably was a right awarded the general for his successful campaign. Other archaeological evidence such as ceramics, adobe brick styles, and radiocarbon dates show the city’s construction was contemporary with the early phase of monumental architecture at Chan Chan, between AD 1150 and 1250. This seems to confirm the historical reality of the Chimu conquest of the Jequetepeque Valley, of General Pacatnamu, and perhaps of a king called Ñançenpinco. The traditional histories, however, are not entirely accurate as three generations of kings represent three hundred years, raising the question of why other rulers were deleted from the traditional histories. The author believes that the traditional histories were a form of propaganda justifying the northern conquests, motivating people to advance all the way to Tumbes, and portraying the kings as superior beings whose decisions were just.

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

1150-396 BP (AD 850-1604)

Coverage Place

coastal La Libertad region (north coast) Peru

Notes

Geoffrey W. Conrad

Includes bibliographical references (p. 240-242)

LCCN

89023336

LCSH

Chimu Indians--Politics and government--Congresses

Chimu Indians--Antiquities--Congresses

Chan Chan Site (Peru)--Congresses

Peru--Antiquities--Congresses