Ritual Violence: The Creation of Order and Structure in the North Coast of Peru
Samantha Montellanos Diaz
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Mary Halavais
Department of History
Sonoma State University
Research:
This research explores the use of art as a tool to
create power structures in the Moche world
(A.D. 100-800). Christopher Donnan identifies,
The Sarifice Ceremony, as an image charged
with religious and political ideology. Current
archaeological evidence affirms that the ritual
took place throughout the valleys of the north
coast. The ubiquity of the image among the
valleys and the influence of the elite over the
production of the imagery, suggests that a
consequence of the realization of the ritual was
to create power structures.
Research Questions:
1.What is the relevance of “The
Sacrifice Ceremony” in the creation
and maintenance of power structures
in the Moche civilization?
2.What is the role of the craftsman in
the creation of power structures?
3.How does this view reflect on the
current models of power structure in
the north coast?
The Sacrifice Ceremony, drawing by Donna McClelland