Mochica Deer Hunt

Room 12, Vitrine 147

Ceramic, metal, wood, bone
Peruvian Northern Coast
Florescent Epoch (1 AD – 800 AD)
ML008106, ML013628, ML100186, ML400328, ML400535, ML400875, ML500010, ML500026, ML500027.

One of the most frequently represented rituals in Mochica pottery is the “deer hunt”. The hunters are members of the Mochica nobility, who are seen wearing fine clothing, magnificent headdresses with metal adornments, large ear ornaments and breastplates. They are carrying weapons such as clubs, lances, darts and spear throwers. The way in which these individuals are dressed indicates that this hunt was ceremonial in nature.

The attire of the noble hunters is very similar to the clothing worn by the warriors who faced each other in ritual combat. In the same way that these combats were not related to the conquest of territory, but rather to the capturing of opponents for sacrifice, the aim of these hunts was to capture a deer for ritual sacrifice rather than food.

Wooden spear thrower; gold plated spear thrower; spear thrower tips carved from wood and bone; copper darts; Mochica ceramic depicting the deer hunt.