The Mochica (Moche) people were probably never completely unified under a single ruler. The frequent battle scenes on their pottery often show Mochica warriors fighting not only with neighbouring peoples, but also with each other. Archaeological excavations show that many settlements throughout the Moche area were heavily fortified, possibly against attack by rival warlords.
A major reason for warfare was to obtain captives for sacrifice, underlining the strong religious component to Moche rule. Impressive religious monuments (huacas) were built using labour rendered as a form of tax. These combined the functions of temple pyramid at and around which ceremonies took place, and burial place for the ruling warrior-priests.
The recently excavated tombs at Sipan show the wealth and splendour of these burials, which contained abundant gold and copper artefacts. These illustrate the sophisticated skills of Moche craftsmen, while the achievements of craftswomen are glimpsed in the infrequently preserved textiles.
The fine pottery, painted or modelled, is unusually comprehensive in its detailed portrayal of everyday subjects, from which it is possible to reconstruct many aspects of Moche life.
