San Jose de Moro

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Coordinates: 7°10′55″S 79°26′18″W / 7.1819°S 79.4382°W / -7.1819; -79.4382
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San Jose de Moro is a

La Libertad Region, of Northwestern Peru
. The site served as a ceremonial funerary complex between the years 400 and 1000 AD.

Region

The site of San Jose de Moro is located in a small community along the banks of the Chamán River in the Jequetepeque District valley of Peru. San Jose de Moro lies along the Pan-American Highway between the modern cities of Trujillo and Chiclayo. The site occupies approximately 10 hectares at about 13 meters above sea level[1] The desert region is sandy and dry in an area of the country that receives almost no rainfall; the arid conditions providing an ideal environment for high preservation of archaeological material. In the region surrounding San Jose de Moro, there are several other archaeological sites of importance including: Cerro Chepen, San Ildefonso, El Algarrobal de Moro, Portachuelo de Charcape, Pacatnamu, and Cerro Catalina.[2]

Site occupation

Middle Moche Period

The earliest occupation at San Jose de Moro dates to the Middle Moche Period of 400–600 AD. This early period is characterized by boot-shaped tombs and burial offerings consisting of

sherds.[3]

Late Moche Period

The following Late Moche Period (600–850 AD) relates to the height of Moche presence in the Jequetepeque valley. During the Late Moche Period large storage containers, or paicas[

hearths, food remains, reusable pots, and well-worn surfaces. It was also during the Late Moche Period that funerary occupation reached its peak with the presence of pit tombs, boot-shaped tombs, and chamber burials. The construction of the famous tombs of the priestesses of San Jose de Moro also occurred during this time; these powerful women assumed the roles of governors of the valley.[4]

Transitional Period

The Transitional Period (850–1000 AD) at San Jose de Moro represents a time of change as the hegemony of the Moche empire waned and the Lambayeque state rose in power in the valley. The absence of centralized power during this transitional period allowed for a greater range of cultural expression as evidenced by the various types of artifact traditions found during this time.[5]

The collapse of the Moche in San Jose de Moro was rather abrupt; nevertheless, the site was continually occupied during the Transitional Period. Relatively large quantities of foreign ceramics appear associated with local burials during the transition, including Wari, Nievería, Atarco, Pativilca, Cajamarca in several phases, and Chachapoyas styles. Later, these traditions coalesced in Lambayeque and Chimú cultures.[6]

Lambayeque Period

The final occupation at the site ranges from 1000–1350 AD during the Lambayeque Period. San Jose de Moro declined in importance as a ceremonial funerary center during this time. Despite this, the site continued to hold some prestige and received several burials of importance. This period of less intense occupation shows more burials in the flexed position and containing

symbols of the Lambayeque culture.[7]

Excavations

Excavations at the site have yielded three different types of tombs and indications of feasting in the form of large spaces for the production and storage of chicha.[8] Caroline Coolidge an archaeology student revealed example of small-faced unbroken figurine in 2019 in San Jose de Moro. The peculiarity of this 1000 years old figurine dating back to the transition period between Moche and Lambayeque cultures was that there were no other items around it, as it was considered that objects like this used to be buried in graves.[9][10]

Tomb types

The pit tombs at San Jose de Moro are the simplest form of burial. They are long, superficial graves that typically contain one individual with a few burial offerings. Pit tombs appear during later Transitional and Lambayeque occupations of the site with some pit tombs dating back to the Moche period.[11]

Boot-shaped tombs are associated with the Middle and Late Moche periods. The tombs usually have a 2m deep vertical access shaft that leads to a horizontal vault or chamber where the deceased individuals are placed along with offerings. After burial, the vault is sealed with an adobe wall; an indicative feature of the boot-shaped tomb.[12]

Chamber tombs often contain more than one individual and numerous grave offerings.[13]

Moche iconography

Moche

shamans with depictions of therianthropic beings and intricate rituals.[15]

The priestesses

Over the two decades of excavations at San Jose de Moro several burials have been uncovered containing high status female individuals. The importance of these women is indicated by their attire and by the number and nature of the burial offerings in their association. Furthermore, several of the individuals have been in costumes and with ornamentation that is depicted in Moche iconography relaying the Sacrifice and Presentation Ceremony. This complex Moche ceremony consisted of human sacrifice and the offering of human blood in a sacrifice goblet that appears in Moche art. The women buried at San Jose de Moro are wearing the same headdresses and are interred with similar “Sacrifice goblets” that are seen in the iconography of these ceremonies. Their importance in participation in these ritual ceremonies is indicated by the extensive work put into their tombs, their lavish offerings, and the evidence for grand funerary feasts held in their honor.[16]

Tomb M-U41, The first Priestess. The individual interred in this tomb was a woman aged 30–40 years old. The woman was accompanied by the same ornamentation as the woman depicted in Moche iconography as the Priestess. The individual was placed in a cane coffin that was covered with copper discs. Metal engravings in the shapes of arms and legs were attached to the sides of the coffin as well as a headdress shaped engraving at the head of the coffin. Five additional females were buried with the primary individual inside the chamber tomb. Funerary offerings in the tomb included: spondylus shell necklaces, metal objects, and ceramic vessels.[17]

Los Chamanas

Burial M-U1221- This burial dates to the Late Transitional Period. The tomb contained several female individuals who are thought to be

skulls.[19]

The nature of this

skulls are often indicative of secondary burials and sacrificed individuals. The animal bone and the nature of its placement along with the arrangement of the individuals in the tomb and accompanying burial
offerings are all characteristic of high status individuals.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ ":: SAN JOSÉ DE MORO Archaeological Program ::". sanjosedemoro.pucp.edu.pe. Retrieved 2012-04-19.
  2. ^ ":: SAN JOSÉ DE MORO Archaeological Program ::". sanjosedemoro.pucp.edu.pe. Retrieved 2012-04-19.
  3. ^ ":: SAN JOSÉ DE MORO Archaeological Program ::". sanjosedemoro.pucp.edu.pe. Retrieved 2012-04-19.
  4. ^ ":: SAN JOSÉ DE MORO Archaeological Program ::". sanjosedemoro.pucp.edu.pe. Retrieved 2012-04-19.
  5. ^ ":: SAN JOSÉ DE MORO Archaeological Program ::". sanjosedemoro.pucp.edu.pe. Retrieved 2012-04-19.
  6. ^ Butters, L. J. C.; Castillo, S. U. (2007). "The Moche of Northern Perú". In Silverman, H.; Isbell, W. (eds.). Handbook of South American Archaeology (PDF). Blackwell Press.
  7. ^ ":: SAN JOSÉ DE MORO Archaeological Program ::". sanjosedemoro.pucp.edu.pe. Retrieved 2012-04-19.
  8. ^ ":: SAN JOSÉ DE MORO Archaeological Program ::". sanjosedemoro.pucp.edu.pe. Retrieved 2012-04-19.
  9. ^ "Archaeology student makes an unusual find at a Peruvian dig". phys.org. Retrieved 2019-08-19.
  10. ^ "Rising second-year makes an unusual find at a Peruvian dig". Harvard Gazette. 2019-07-23. Retrieved 2019-08-19.
  11. ^ ":: SAN JOSÉ DE MORO Archaeological Program ::". sanjosedemoro.pucp.edu.pe. Retrieved 2012-04-19.
  12. ^ ":: SAN JOSÉ DE MORO Archaeological Program ::". sanjosedemoro.pucp.edu.pe. Retrieved 2012-04-19.
  13. ^ ":: SAN JOSÉ DE MORO Archaeological Program ::". sanjosedemoro.pucp.edu.pe. Retrieved 2012-04-19.
  14. ^ Quilter, 1990, pg. 44
  15. ^ Donnan,1979
  16. ^ ":: SAN JOSÉ DE MORO Archaeological Program ::". sanjosedemoro.pucp.edu.pe. Retrieved 2012-04-18.
  17. ^ ":: SAN JOSÉ DE MORO Archaeological Program ::". sanjosedemoro.pucp.edu.pe. Retrieved 2012-04-19.
  18. ^ Tomasto Cagigao, 4 July 2011
  19. ^ Tomasto Cagigao, 4 July 2011

References

  • Donnan, Christopher B.; McClelland, Donna (1979), The Burial Theme in Moche Iconography, Washington, D.C.: Dumbarton Oaks, Trustees for Harvard University, pp. 1–45,
    OCLC 5153273
  • "San Jose de Moro Archaeological Program". Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru. 2009. Retrieved 18 April 2012.
  • Tomasto Cagigao, Elsa (July 4, 2011). Los Chamanas (Speech). San Jose de Moro Bioarchaeology Program. San Jose de Moro, Peru.
  • Quilter, Jeffery (March 1990). "The Moche Revolt of the Objects". Latin American Antiquity. 1 (1): 42–65.
    S2CID 163701911
    .

7°10′55″S 79°26′18″W / 7.1819°S 79.4382°W / -7.1819; -79.4382

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