The Moches of Chicama: past, present and future

Medina C.T.; Tantaleán H.; Morales M.G.; Montes D.H.; Quispe-Baquedano J.; Sanandres S. · Boletim do Museu Paraense Emilio Goeldi: Ciencias Humanas (2025) · DOI: 10.1590/2178-2547-bgoeldi-2024-0054

Resumen

This article provides an overview of the Moche (50-800 AD) social groups that occupied the Chicama valley on the Peruvian north coast. Although this valley has been extensively studied, particularly in the 20th century, there still remain many aspects of the Moche occupation that are underexplored and undertheorized. Using systematically analyzed existing data plus the addition of new information obtained by the Chicama Archaeological Research Program (PRACH), we reevaluate the Moche phenomenon in this valley in light of contemporary methodologies and theories. We likewise outline key topics for future investigation and discuss the challenges involved in deepening our understanding of the Moche legacy in this critical coastal valley on the western Pacific slopes of Peru.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos; Universidad Nacional de Trujillo; Universidad Nacional de San Antonio Abad del Cusco