moche culture
This culture’s earrings indicated rank—the bigger the earring, the higher the status.
What is the Moche culture?
This “Drinker” ceramic figure was found in shaft tombs and may represent a high-ranking official.
What is the Drinker vessel?
These large carved basalt heads likely represented rulers and were found at Tres Zapotes.
What are Olmec colossal heads?
The Moche used these materials for their earrings: metals, turquoise, shell, gold, and this blue stone.
What is sodalite?
This were-jaguar deity symbolizes transformation and maize fertility.
Who is the Maize God or were-jaguar deity?
These heavy ear ornaments were often attached to headdresses and used in ceremonies, not daily wear.
What are Moche earrings (gauges)?
This Maya vessel held a whipped, spicy beverage enjoyed by the elite during feasts.
What is the Chocolate Vessel?
this green ceremonial object represented maize and was linked to a were-jaguar deity.
What is the ceremonial jade axe (celt)?
The Olmec colossal heads were made from this volcanic stone.
What is basalt?
This female deity, carved in stone, represents the Maize God meditating with a corn headdress.
Who is the Lady of the Maize (Maize Goddess)?
These earrings were decorated with figures called "bird runners," possibly depicting races or warriors.
What are iconographic Moche earrings?
The row of hieroglyphs on this vessel records the owner as an athlete skilled in this ancient sport.
What is the ball game?
These finely embroidered textiles wrapped the dead and featured flying figures.
What is a funerary rug?
This material, resembling maize leaves, was valued by Mesoamerican carvers for ceremonial tools.
What is jade?
According to this sacred text, the Maya’s mythical ancestors were made from maize.
What is the Popol Vuh?
Moche ceramics are known for their two-color palette of cream and red and this distinctive spout design.
What is a single spout?
This vessel type from the Moche often portrayed real people instead of idealized figures.
What is a Moche portrait vessel (head vessel)?
Moche earrings were used in these types of events rather than daily life.
What are ceremonial or battle events?
Because of Peru’s dry coastal climate, this type of artifact is unusually well preserved.
What are textiles (funerary rugs)?
The Lady’s head was detached and placed among others to symbolize this agricultural act.
What is the harvesting of corn?
Unlike the Nasca, who used 13 colors and two spouts connected by a bridge, the Moche favored this simpler approach.
What is realistic portraiture and limited color use?
Early Moche vessels were hand-shaped, but later ones were produced this way.
What is by mold casting?
This seashell ornament, worn by Mississippian elites, symbolized a mythic warrior or deity.
What is a gorget?
These professional artisans carved the colossal heads and were supported by Olmec chiefs.
Who are professional carvers?
This Mississippian mythological figure, symbolized by falcon markings, was associated with decapitation rituals.
Who is Redhorn or Morningstar?