Dying to Rule: Sex and Power in Moche Society – 2007
The Burial Ceremony
Face to face above the mouth of the tomb, two supernatural beings use ropes to lower the coffin containing the mortal remains of the Ruler. In wall niches on the sides of the burial chamber, eight women who eventually will be sacrificed offer plates of food to the deceased. Three deer and three cats observing the action are also destined to be sacrificed. Below these, the funeral priests have placed stirrup-spout bottles, Strombus seashells and other burial offerings to ensure the traveler’s return from the afterlife. In the back of the tomb, on each side of the sarcophagus, are the same supernatural beings that stood outside, but this time they are placed in an inverted position. One of these holds a rattle that he probably shook loudly during the final stage of the ceremony to send the Ruler on his way to the World of the Dead.