Moche civilization flourished on the north coast of Peru between approximately 100 and 800 CE. Although the Moche had no writing system, they left an extraordinary artistic record of their beliefs and activities. Frequently depicted in Moche art are an individual we call Wrinkle Face, and his companion, an anthropomorphized iguana. Wrinkle Face and Iguana participate in such a wide range of activities that they appear to be symbiotic figures playing central roles in a major epic story.
Christopher B. Donnan is Professor Emeritus of Anthropology at UCLA. Considered one of the world’s foremost authorities on the Moche, he has long combined archaeological research with the systematic analysis of Moche art. Recent publications include Moche Portraits from Ancient Peru and Chotuna and Chornancup: Excavating an Ancient Peruvian Legend.
