Th e Role of the Ceramics in the Social Affirmation of the Moche From de Santa Valley

From the perspective that the Moche dominated and restructured at the socio-political level the Santa Valley during Phase IV (AD 450-800), a new Moche society emerged as a Province of the expansionist Southern Moche State. New radiocarbon dates support a strong Moche presence lasting more than three centuries, and the high density of typical ceramic on sites of this phase indicates without any doubt the intensive production and promotion of the Moche style in the Santa Valley. Political control allowed the development of a local Moche identity in Santa. Th e relations between the center, Huacas de Moche, and the periphery, the Santa Valley, will be discussed regarding the production and distribution of domestic and decorated ceramics. We will also try to understand the locally produced ceramic and the socio-political indicators of the stratifi ed Moche society established in Santa by looking at ceramic production centers and at the fi rst results of paste analysis with neutron activation.

Key words: Moche, expansion, ceramic, cultural identity.