Art and Moche Martial Arts

Summary

J. Whittaker: Nothing to suggest coordinated formations, or attacks on fortification, most agree essence of M war was one-on-one combat for captures. Larco (2001) major source of info; in his museum distinguishes darts from lances (over 2 m long), no dart specimens. Darts always shown as compound weapons with long pt and thicker shaft. Lances or long spears rarely shown in M art. Copper spikes 25-50 cm long Larco thinks lance pts, but could be dart pts, would need counter weight on shaft to balance properly in spear-thrower. [Maybe, no weight info given unfortunately]. But perhaps too heavy, too expensive for expendable darts. No barbed ones found, no darts with copper pts found either. More likely these spikes were bottom of maces [good idea, but no photos, so far not found on clubs.] Hand combat depicted, but projectile weapons imply more. Best against massed enemy. “Experiments with replicas should help determine ranges of M spear-throwers and their darts” and types of combat. P 222 Deer hunt as symbolic of warfare. Art may depict only elite warriors and neglect masses of common folk, comp to Greek warrior art. [Excellent article].

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• EXARC Experimental Archaeology Collection

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): EXARC Experimental Archaeology Collection Manager

Record Identifiers

ExArc Id(s): 10207

Notes

Rights & Attribution: The information in this record was originally compiled by Dr. Roeland Paardekooper, EXARC Director.