The Moche

Lore & Background

Moche society was agriculturally based, with significant investment in irrigation canals. Their artifacts depict hunting, fishing, fighting, sacrifice, sexual encounters, and elaborate ceremonies. Ceremonies commonly involved movement, but stasis in liminal spaces—such as sunken steps or ramps—was also significant. The Salinar culture (200 BC–200 AD) may have been a transition between Cupisnique and Moche cultures, and parallels exist between Moche and Cupisnique iconography, including the 'Spider god'.

Reader's Guide

The Huaca del Sol was the largest pre-Columbian structure in Peru, partly destroyed by Spanish looters; the nearby Huaca de la Luna is better preserved, with colorful murals. Two distinct regions—Southern and Northern Moche—have been identified, each probably a different political entity. The Southern region, heartland of the culture, included the Chicama and Moche valleys, with Huaca del Sol-Huaca de la Luna as its likely capital. The Northern region included the upper Piura, lower Lambayeque, and lower Jequetepeque valleys. Pampa Grande in Lambayeque became one of the largest Moche sites, featuring Huaca Fortaleza, the tallest ceremonial platform in Peru. San Jose de Moro in Jequetepeque yielded tombs of high-status females depicted as Priestesses. Moche pottery is highly varied, using mold technology, and often depicts war, agriculture, metalwork, weaving, and erotica—including anal sex scenes. The coloration is simple, with yellowish cream and red on elite pieces. Portraiture pottery appears to represent actual individuals, some with physical disfigurements.

Did You Know?

• The Huaca del Sol was the largest pre-Columbian structure in Peru, partly destroyed by Spanish conquistadors looting for gold.
• At least 500 Moche ceramics have sexual themes; the most frequently depicted act is anal sex.
• San Jose de Moro yielded tombs of high-status females depicted in iconography as the Priestess.
• The Moche were likely a group of autonomous polities, not a monolithic empire or state.