Detailed study
Recent Intermediate Period (1000 - 1450 A.D.)
After the fall of the Wari empire, throughout Peru new dominions came into being that sought to subjugate the neighbouring regions to satisfy the ever-increasing demand for food, labour and mineral resources.
The great cities had a huge demand for food and they satisfied this need by intensifying the production of pottery and craftwork, thus creating capital to barter with farmers. This situation brought about a policy of conquest, which aimed at solving the problems contingent to the transformation of neighbouring economic powers into tributary societies. To obtain this the ruling Chimú class allied itself with Cajamarca in this way succeeding in dominating a vast territory.
The Chimú Reign (or the reign of Chimor) was founded on a feudal type theocracy divided into social castes at the apex of which were the military and religious aristocracy. Every conquered territory was assigned to vassals who managed the political and administrative power, even though remaining tributary to the capital, Chan Chan, an immense city spread over more than 120km2, completely built in green brick, with 9 meter-high boundary walls.
The applicable economic model imposed an intensive productive rhythm, a problem that was effectively solved by mass producing pottery, using moulds alone. The same solution was applied in textiles, replacing most of the earlier techniques with the production of tapestries.
The skill in the metallurgical field brought fame to the Chimú that spread throughout the region so much so that after the Inca conquest of the realm, towards the 15th century, Chan Chan was occupied by the imperial army; the goldsmiths were transferred to Cusco so that they could continue their activity for the Incas. In addition to the development of the Northern realm, including Chimú, Cajamarca with Cuismanco, Huamachuco in the area of the Callejón de Huaylas, in the valleys of the Central Coast one can also observe a rebirth of local hegemony, which we can define as "noble", united by a shared religious sentiment thanks to the prestige of the ceremonial centre of Pachacamac.
The Chancay culture was noted for its immense necropoli developed along the Chillón, Chimaca, Chancay, Rimac, Ancón and Huaura valleys. The town-planning and building model respect the traditional rules and thus every stronghold is made up of the ceremonial site, with pyramidal temples connected by ramps and passages, open areas and sectors assigned for residential uses and necropoli. The Chancay culture in relation to material is recognised mainly for the rich funeral furnishings plundered in the course of the last few decades, principally made up of ceremonial and other pottery, decorated fabrics used as shrouds, offerings consisting in plants and animals.
The clay art stands out for its characteristics that differentiate it substantially from other contemporary expressions. The fame of the Chancay is due to the perfect weaving that included tapestries, cheesecloth, brocades, lacework, crêpe, embroidered cloth, painted and decorated with shells, feathers and gold and silver charms. In the coastal areas of central-southern Peru, around 1300, the Chincha region achieved significant splendour and opulence thanks to its economic policy, based on the creation and perfection of a tight commercial, maritime and land network.
Simultaneously in the Inca valley, a similar cultural development took place that evolved parallel with, and often created uncertainty in the identification of, the two traditions so much so that both developments were called Ica-Chincha. The archaeological studies have allowed us to prove the diversification and political independence of the two valleys, recognising the relative capitals and distinguishing the pottery styles found in the area, according to the clear local variations.
The capital, Tambo of Mora, represented the administrative node and the meeting place of all the commercial and craftsman activities. Inside the city there were temples and buildings with relief decorations that repeated the geometric patterns of the pottery.
From ancient colonial documents we have obtained interesting information on the social organization of this populace. It seems that the different craftsmen classes resided in separate areas, even though they had the same residential features; the maritime traders crossed enormous distances on balsawood boats, reaching the Gulf of Guayaquil, in Ecuador, where they supplied themselves with products to be subsequently exchanged in places situated on another trade route.
The Chincha’s high degree of socio-economic development had a positive influence on all the arts. The fine ceramics are remarkable for their colours and iconography that repeats the textile patterns. The goldsmith's art and wooden sculptures show excellent workmanship that is inspired by the delicate fabric designs. The Inca army encountered a courageous resistance during its progress in this region, a factor that inspired admiration and respect for the power and wealth of the lords of this land.
