The Ancient Americas

Featured Cultures

Moche Society
Between AD 100 and 800, the powerful Moche society dominated the northern coast of Peru. Like the Maya, the Moche consisted of several smaller kingdoms united by political ties. From the dominant city, also called Moche, elite warrior-priests governed densely populated cities. Moche territory extended for nearly 250 miles along the Peruvian coast.

The ornate temple complex, Huaca de la Luna (Temple of the Moon) dominated the city of Moche. Around it were scattered the residential complexes of high-status people. Farmer's fields irrigated by government-controlled water spread out from the city center.

Government and Taxes
Rather than being taxed in money, as we are today, many Moche people paid a tax of labor—work they did for the government. Families or whole regions could pay their taxes in many forms, including supplying bricks or food, or working on building projects.

Many monuments such as the Huaca de la Luna temple complex are built with bricks marked as "tax." Taxed labor and materials made it possible for Moche leaders to construct an elaborate city from which they governed their large territory.

A Stratified Society
Among Moche people, differences were great. Some individuals were buried with more—and more valuable—possessions. Similarly, some Moche residences were much more elaborate than others.

But perhaps the clearest picture of the highly stratified Moche society comes from an array of painted ceramic vessels made by Moche potters. These vessels offer a unique portrait of the society's spiritual, political, and daily lives.

Studies of these vessels suggest that leaders exercised tight control over the military and religious lives of their citizens.

Other People and Places

Moche society lasted roughly from AD 100 to 800, during the same time...

	Cahokia, which would grow into the largest ancient American settlement north of Mexico, was established.
	Classic Nazca culture reached its peak.
	Caddo peoples set up communities throughout the river valleys of Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.
	The Roman Empire went from the height of its power to its decline.
	The Gupta Dynasty was founded in India. Known for great art and literature, it lasted a little more than two centuries.
	Arabs spread into North Africa and conquered Egypt.

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