Symbolic patterns of Northern Peruvian Coast pottery in Inca times

Summary

The present study proposes a comparative analysis of the iconography and morphology of ritual pottery produced in the Northern Peruvian Coast during the Late Intermediate Period and Late Horizon. Ceramics produced in that region during the 15th century presents several changes in the attributes of anthropomorphic and zoomorphic protagonists (here addressed as "figures of power") when compared to those of prior periods. Such modifications in the symbolic patterns suggests aspects of ancestry, ritual practices and imagery promoted by Chimu and Inca elites, on their respective ruling contexts in the Central Andes. Under the aegis of Inca rule, ritual pottery produced in the region presents a clear reduction on the representation of ancient local figures of power. In this sense, seems that archaeological data match colonial manuscripts information on the Inca need to legitimize their "foreign" power in such an extended territory. However, the permanence of local attributes in the representation of religious/political protagonists leaves us with some puzzling questions about control of ceramic production and political-religious negotiation.

This communication seeks to present the results of our research and the advances proposed in our PhD, aiming to comprehend the context of Inca interaction with local elites of the Northern Peruvian Coast.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 81st Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL (2016)

Keywords

Spatial Coverage