by Christopher B. Donnan photographs Kenneth Garret and art by Christopher A. Klein, National Geographic, March 2001.
The Moche predate the Inca by about 1000 years. They inhabited the northern coast of Peru. This article tells of the discovery of three tombs, whole and intact. This find is rare in this area where people have been looting for 300 years. The 105 foot pyramid at Dos Cabezas had been virtually destroyed by Conquistadores looking for gold. It has also been pock marked by those seeking artifacts. However these tombs were left undisturbed, and provide a wealth of information about the people. This included a ceramic death mask. It also included miniature tombs, a model of the actual tombs. There were artistic potteries of animals which are very fascinating.
There are mysteries surrounding the Moche people, where did they come form and where did they go. The inhabited one of the most arid regions on earth, and did so with irrigation methods. They were there form about 100 a.d to 800 a.d. They appear to have had classes, as one of the tombs honors someone of some import. The people found appear to have been related. They are unique in that the seem larger than other Moche people who were generally short.
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