This thesis aims to fill the gap in research on the role of plants in Pre-Columbian societies in the Andes. In this thesis, the role of plants in Moche iconography was studied. An analysis was...Show moreThis thesis aims to fill the gap in research on the role of plants in Pre-Columbian societies in the Andes. In this thesis, the role of plants in Moche iconography was studied. An analysis was conducted on a corpus of 95 roll-out drawings. The roll out drawings are made of pots that belong to phases III and IV. In this thesis a method conceptualized by Luis Jaime Castillo was used. As a distinction was made between three stages in the analytical process, attention was paid to different aspects. First of all, the context in which the pots were produced and distributed was described. This stage was called the pre-iconographic analysis. Subsequently, the images on the pots were examined in the second stage, called iconographic analysis. The recurring plants were identified and described, their known uses were given and at last their iconographic situation was explored. In the third stage, the plants were compared. The small amount of depicted plant species was striking, for only the tillandsia, browningia, opuntia, cereus and echinopsis species were identified, despite the enormous area in which the Moche lived. A comparison between the physical description of the plants and its iconographic representation showed a striking lack of details. This was not expected if these plants had implied specific regions within the landscape and makes it doubtful whether the plants played a possible role as location indicators. The presence of roots, their floating positions and the relation between cacti and scenes that are connected with death, fertility and afterlife suggest a symbolic system of which these plants also formed part. Whereas the cacti were mainly connected to scenes of violence, the tillandsias were often shown with ritual runners, a result for which no explanation could be given.Show less
The Moche civilization (100-800 AD) is widely known for their three-dimensional effigy pottery. On these ceramics Moche artists rendered models of varying depictions. So-called stirrup spout...Show moreThe Moche civilization (100-800 AD) is widely known for their three-dimensional effigy pottery. On these ceramics Moche artists rendered models of varying depictions. So-called stirrup spout vessels are known to depict human portraits, types of foods, a great variety of daily chores like fishing or weaving, but also a wide range of sexual activities. This thesis studies the function and significance of this last category of depictions through an overview of scholarly interpretations concerning the Moche erotic ceramic assemblage. In the history of academic research biases and prejudiced views, like gender stereotypes and cultural taboos, are seen to have tainted views and ideas. Therefore, this thesis consciously incorporates archaeological theory and contemporary mindsets in its overview of academic interpretations.Show less
In deze scriptie worden drie muurschilderingen geanalyseerd die afkomstig zijn uit drie verschillende valleien binnen het gebied waar de Moche woonden: de Nepaña vallei (Pañamarca), Moche vallei ...Show moreIn deze scriptie worden drie muurschilderingen geanalyseerd die afkomstig zijn uit drie verschillende valleien binnen het gebied waar de Moche woonden: de Nepaña vallei (Pañamarca), Moche vallei (Huaca de la Luna) en de Chicama Vallei (Huaca Cao Viejo). Door schilderingen uit verschillende politieke centra met elkaar te vergelijken, wordt getracht een ideologische overeenkomst te vinden tussen de drie afzonderlijke bestuurscentra. Voor de analyse wordt een door Mieke bal omschreven theorie gebruikt, waarin narratieve teksten worden geanalyseerd aan de hand van drie onderscheidende termen: tekst, story en fabula. Er zal gekeken worden naar de afgebeelde figuren en de interpretaties die daaraan gegeven zijn. Eveneens wordt er een blik geworpen op de onderlinge relaties van de figuren en de activiteiten die zij uitvoeren. Op deze manier wordt er getracht het verhaal te achterhalen dat in de schildering verbeeld wordt. Bij de analyse wordt gebruikt gemaakt van eerder onderscheiden personages en thema’s die van belang zijn voor de Moche iconografie. Deze zijn op verschillende objecten weergegeven en komen ook terug in de schilderingen. Na het uitvoeren van de analysen, wordt er een vergelijking gemaakt tussen de drie schilderingen, waaruit zal blijken dat er een ideologische overeenkomst bestaat tussen de verschillende centra. Alle onderzochte schilderingen behandelen eenzelfde thema: het belang van vruchtbaarheid en de offers die voor de instandhouding daarvan gebracht dienen te worden.Show less
Research master thesis | Archaeology (research) (MA/MSc)
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This research involves the Moche full bodied portrait vessels. The Moche flourished from 100 till 800 AD and all that was left of the Moche society was their material culture. Today it is generally...Show moreThis research involves the Moche full bodied portrait vessels. The Moche flourished from 100 till 800 AD and all that was left of the Moche society was their material culture. Today it is generally accepted that ceramic was the Moche language. The main research question focuses on the function and meaning of these artefacts. What was their place in the Moche culture? A study is made of social meaning, social biography and of the different statements an object can give. Objects function as memory, they tell stories and are used to remember certain occasions or activities. Furthermore, instead of using expensive tests here a descriptive approach, in combination with statistical analyses, was used to understand the function of these objects. The form and function of these vessels is connected, but the exact role of the portrait vessels is not known. It is clear that they played an important role in the life of the Moche society and were almost certainly connected with the ceremonial sacrifice. This is assumed based on the characteristics of the people modelled on the vessels. Using statistical analyses will help to understand the relation between depictions and form and will also give ideas about how and wherefore these vessels were used. Based on the different analyses a decision tree learning model was made, creating the possibility to define and understand the different categories of Moche full bodied portrait vessels.Show less
