Archaeologists have unearthed an ancient feathered shield in a sealed section of a temple at the site of Pañamarca in Peru, attributed to the Moche people, a civilization that flourished on the northern coast of Peru around two thousand years ago. The Moche are renowned for their architectural feats, including massive pyramids made of millions of mud bricks, and for their pioneering metalworking techniques such as gilding and soldering, which enabled them to create intricate jewelry and artifacts.
The recently discovered shield, dating back approximately 1,300 years, measures about 25 centimeters (10 inches) in diameter. It features a base crafted from carefully woven basketry with a handle, and its surface is adorned with red and brown textiles, along with about a dozen yellow feathers sewn on. Experts believe the feathers likely came from the body of a macaw, a bird native to the eastern side of the Andes near the Amazon, indicating that the Moche likely imported these feathers. Originally, the shield might have boasted over 100 feathers arranged in concentric circles.
The shield was found face down on a sloped surface that had been converted into a bench or altar, situated near two ancient murals. One mural depicts a supernatural beast known as the “Strombus Monster,” characterized by snail and feline features, while the other shows an iguana-like creature. These murals are part of the Moche’s rich visual culture, which includes depictions of mythological battles and symbolic animals, although the specific meanings often remain a mystery due to the lack of written records from the Moche.
Lisa Trever, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, and her colleagues Jorge Gamboa, Ricardo Toribio, and Flannery Surette, who described the shield in the Ñawpa Pacha: Journal of Andean Archaeology, suggest that the shield had a ritualistic rather than practical use. It may have been used in ceremonial performances or ritualized battles similar to gladiatorial combat. The careful placement of the shield on the bench or altar before the temple was sealed, and a new temple built over it, indicates its significant role in Moche ritual practices.
The discovery of this shield, along with other small Moche shields and artistic depictions, provides valuable insights into Moche culture and combat practices. The vibrant visual culture, expressed through detailed paintings and murals on pottery and temple walls, continues to be a crucial source of information about the beliefs and customs of the enigmatic Moche civilization.
