Sculptural vessel representing a scene depicting an individual emerging from a mountain

Apart from their role as a place for sacrifices, mountains were considered as sacred spaces by pre-Columbian societies. According to what is conveyed by Mochica iconography, different ritual activities would have been carried out in these spaces, which were interwoven with other mythological characters. In this Mochica III style of vessel, a character appears coming out of a cave in the mountains, and is surrounded by a two-headed serpent held by two mythological beings. The presence of land snails at the side of the mountain suggest that the scene takes place in an area with a humid environment.