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Rain of the Moon: Silver in Ancient Peru
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Description
Substantial numbers of beakers in precious metal, particularly gold, have been recovered from elite burials in the Lambayeque Valley. Dense overall decoration and narrative scenes, as on this beaker, are unusual in Lambayeque art; overall decoration is more frequently seen on later Chimú works, though usually in the form of repeated motifs. The almond-shaped eyes, a distinguishing feature of the Lambayeque style, of what appear to be the protagonists in the scenes support the attribution to the Lambayeque culture. The vessel was probably made at a time when the Chimú controlled Lambayeque territory.
The interpretation of the scenes and motifs on this beaker is problematic, because the ancient Peruvians did not develop a writing system. Consequently, no written texts exist from the time the vessel was made. Given the presence of the many fantastic creatures and composite beings, it is reasonable to assume that cosmological views and mythic episodes are depicted. Perhaps the images refer to the creation of the universe or the origin of the Lambayeque people. It is also possible that the scenes depict partly legendary, partly historic events and characters mentioned in accounts compiled by the Spaniards after the conquest.
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