The symbolic art of Huaca 20
The death objects of Huaca 20 had an important symbolic value, becoming material sources of articulation between domestic and religious spaces.
By Pontifical Catholic University of Peru
Bienes Culturales PUCP
Botella decorada (200 - 800 d.C.) by Cultura LimaPontifical Catholic University of Peru
The death objects of Huaca 20
Funerary objects are one of the main sources for the study of pre-hispanic andean societies, not only because of their aesthetic characteristics and specialization, but also because of the symbolic components that materialized at the time of death.
The death objects of Huaca 20
A clear example is the figurative art of Huaca 20, which has been, without a doubt, a fundamental part of the funerary rituals of the ancient inhabitants of Lima society, who lived between 200 and 800 AD.
The interlocking bottle
Pieces like this sculptural bottle, with a strong symbolic component, are outstanding objects in the Huaca 20 collection. This piece features painted decoration and shows an octopus surrounded by interlocking designs, which are representative of the Lima culture.
Huaca 20's feline
It is a piece that represents a feline in a lying position. This sculptural bottle with a spout and handle features painted decoration all over the body and face. It was found on the right side of the head of a man between the ages of 35 and 45.
Bottle with two faces
This piece is a nievería style sculptural bottle, which presents two similar zoomorphic bodies, one on top of the other. The mouth, nose, eyes, legs and arms can be distinguished in both cases.
The death objects of Huaca 20 are not only artifacts that represented a social identity or economic status; in addition, they are loaded with a symbolism that transcends their domestic use of a utilitarian nature. For this reason, the sense of belonging to a community and the representation of the natural environment, as well as the materialization of their cosmovisions, are important characteristics of this collection of ceramic pieces.
Without a doubt, the Huaca 20 offerings were a central axis in the memory of their ancestors, as well as a point of convergence between their daily life and religious practices.
Content: Dirección de Asuntos Culturales
Texts: Aldair Manay Meza
Photographs: Miguel Cayo Urrutia
References:
Mauricio, A. C., Muro, L., & Olivera, C. (Eds.). (2015). Huaca 20: Un sitio Lima en el antiguo Complejo Maranga. Lima: IFEA.
Dirección de Asuntos Culturales. (2018). Los tesoros culturales de la PUCP: Colección Huaca 20. Lima: Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú.
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