Dressed to Kill: The Regalia of the Lord of Ucupe and its Symbolism

Recent excavations have revealed the splendor of Moche regalia. Rulers who lived on the north coast of Peru between the 5th and the 8th century wore some of the most exquisitely crafted objects known from the ancient Americas. Their funerary chambers were filled with crowns, diadems, necklaces, and ear ornaments of silver, gold, and other precious materials. These works were decorated with complex designs, including naturalistic motifs based on a large array of animal species including owls, spiders, crabs, and octopuses. In this lecture, Dr. Bourget will present the impressive regalia of the Lord of Ucupe, a Moche ruler whose tomb was recently discovered and excavated at Huaca el Pueblo, exploring the meaning of these objects and their roles in the making of Moche ideology and rulership.