Tales of the Moche Kings and Queens: Elite Burials from the North Coast of Peru

Jeffrey Quilter, William and Muriel Seabury Howells Director of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology; Senior Lecturer on Anthropology, Harvard University
This year marks the thirtieth anniversary of the discovery of the Lord of Sipán, one of the most spectacular gold tombs found in the Americas and the first of many elite tombs found in northern Peru. The remains of these burial sites provide a treasure trove of information about ancient Moche art, technology, and beliefs. Jeffrey Quilter will share firsthand information about elite burial excavations and discuss how studies of these tombs have shaped our understanding of Moche social and political organization, helping to settle the debate over whether the Moche were a state society.
Recorded 9/26/17