Se han hallado evidencias que podrían corresponder a pequeños templos de origen Moche en el cerro Mata Indio, en Zaña, Lambayeque, afirma Walter Alva. ANDINA
A small temple has been found in Cerro Mata Indio, a mountain located in the Lambayeque region in northern Peru, which is believed to match Moche typology and precede great sanctuaries found in that area of the country.
The temple is thought to date from between 1700 and 1800. To Walter Alva, Director of the Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum, it must have preceded big sanctuaries of administrative centers belonging to the peak of Moche culture. “The temple, which is 30-meter wide and 40-meter long, dates back to the earliest stage of the Mochica culture.”
Intervention works started in April in order to become acquainted with Mochica populations and the origin of this culture. For this reason, centers and small structures that must have preceded large sanctuaries or administrative centers at that time are being studied.
Alva said two small mounds have been found in the south of Zana Valley surrounded by cemeteries that have been illegally excavated throughout the years. “These mounds might be small temples.”
One of Mata Indio’s mounds was marked by different occupations: the center of the structure dated to the Early Mohica, Chimu and Lambayeque periods.
They also discovered a white and yellow low platform that is said to be the oldest construction of the place and match the architectural typology of Mochica’s first buildings.
The architect also warned the adobe structure has been eroded by heavy rains, which is why it had to undergo upgrading in several occasions after its initial construction.
He also highlighted the evident presence of roads to the south in order to cross the desert. “This might imply that heavy rains affected the place in early Mochica’s times and that its origin must have been characterized by small religious and administrative centers that later evolved into huge pyramidal constructions such as Sipan and Pampagrande.”
(END) SDC/DOP/RMB/MVB
Published: 5/19/2015