Grade 8 C.Kemnitz
Ruled from about 850 to 1470 Influence stretched 600 miles along the Pacific Coast of South America South of Ecuador to central Peru No written language Built elaborate irrigation systems Best known for their distinctive monochromatic pottery and fine metal working Believed to have worshiped the moon The Chimu: Quick Facts
METALLURGY: Their works were very refined and high technique (specially in goldwork and silverwork. They knew: smelting, forging, molded, hammering, welding,etc. For example, masks, diadems, earrings, rings, knives AGRICULTURE: They employed the adobe: buildings, fortress, temples, cities. For example, Chan Chan, Paramonga; those were built by the Yanas (slaves). CERAMICS: Mono-chromatic (usually black) It represented animals, plants, people, etc. It had globular shape with neck or bridge shaped handle and hamper handle AGRICULTURE: They used hydraulic technologies: irrigations, reservoirs, canals, aqueducts, sunk small farms. FISHING: They built vessels as the reed boats. They made nets, harpoons, with litter marine birds. Chimu Culture
Pacific coast of Northern Peru near modern day city of Trujillo 2.5 sq mil ( 6 sq km.) is the largest Pre-Columbian city in South America Established in a coastal desert with an average rainfall of less than 1/10th inch built irrigation canals and wells to bring water to their gardens and crops Chan Chan: Geography
Built between 850 and 1470 height of city Population: Unknown Capital of the Chimu's Kingdom Made out of adobe Contains about structures decorated with precious metals and colorful friezes, or designs in the adobe Chan
There are about 10 enclosed palace complexes, 35 intermediate or elite residential compounds, and thousands of small rooms. temples, housing, storage, reservoirs, etc Surrounding the compounds are smaller residences of the lower nobility these are surrounded by the housing of families of artisans who specialized in metal, shell, stone, wood, and textile working. Chan
Many of the walls are decorated with raised friezes Abstract motifs and anthropomorphic subjects Marine themes are common fish, pelicans, waves Many geometric shapes Chan Chan: Friezes
Friezes at Chan Chan This is the reproduction museum display. This is the original frieze in Chan Chan.
Around 1470 the Inca conquer the Chimu people Around The Spanish conquistadores, founded a new capital about 5 km from Chan Chan Chan Chan was quickly abandoned Chan Chan: Abandonment
Threatened by water torrential rains are gradually wash away the site Due to increasing rainfall, tent-like protective structures are being placed over different parts of the site Some friezes are being harden with a solution of distilled water and cactus juice others photographed, then covered to protect them Chan Chan: Today
Chan Chan: In Pictures