Peruvian women have played an important role since the beginning of
Caral civilization in Supe Valley, as well as in the country's societies, by contributing to ethnic, cultural, and linguistic diversity, Caral Archaeological Zone (ZAC) Director Ruth Shady affirmed.
"The evidence found in archaeological investigations underlines the importance of women in traditional societies during the thousand-year-long cultural process. They performed relevant functions in the socio-political, economic, and religious spheres," she explained.
"Nevertheless, ancient societies shared a vision of life that promoted a harmonious relationship between both genders and the need to complement their duties in order to achieve general social benefit conditions," Shady added.
Caral findings
In 2016, Shady and her research team found the remains of a high-status woman —the
Lady of the Four Tupus— buried about 4,500 years ago at the archaeological site of Aspero —Caral civilization's fishing town.
The funerary objects surrounding the body included a pot containing vegetable fragments and seeds, a mollusks beaded necklace, a pendant made of Spondylus, and four "tupus" or bone broaches with bird and monkey motifs.
Likewise, there was a priestess of great regional prestige, who was represented in a statuette in Miraya, Caral's urban center, whose position was somewhere between the
Vichama governors (women and men), of the same era but in the neighboring Huaura Valley.
"Positions that have been identified in subsequent periods, as in the case of Moche Culture's
Lady of Cao, Lambayeque Culture's
Chornancap Priestess or the relevant duties performed by Tahuantinsuyo Incas' wives. All of them had the power of command," the archeologist expressed.
The important role of women has also been explored in stories linking female deities with food resources like Pachamama (Mother Earth) and Cochamama (Sea Mother), as well as the complementarity between deities of both genders, the moon, and the sun, among others.
Furthermore, Shady indicated that in the 16th century —during the Spanish Viceroyalty— women were restricted from participating in socio-political spheres and were limited to home and family ones.
Significance and value
Since ancient times, women have played an important and valuable role in societies. They also held high positions, thus proving gender equality in the Inca country.
"For that reason, they deserve to continue being recognized and considered in modern times. Happy Women's day!" the archeologist concluded.
(END) NDP/JOT/DTK/RMB
Published: 3/8/2019