An Ancient Queen in Northern Peru

Lisa Trever, Jessica Ortiz Zevallos and Michele Koons contributed to this article. 

For the third summer field season in a row, Denver Museum of Nature & Science archeologist Dr. Michele Koons, Museum conservator Megan Salas and archaeologist Amy Gillaspie spent several weeks on the coastal desert plain of the Nepeña Valley, Peru. Partnering with Columbia University and Peruvian archaeologists and conservators in the project known as “Archaeological Landscapes of Pañamarca,” the team made a groundbreaking discovery —uncovering evidence suggesting a powerful woman once ruled in Northern Peru over 1,300 years ago.  

“This discovery opens a fascinating window into the world of the ancient Moche people, who lived in northern Peru for half of a millennium,” said Dr. Koons. “It also deepens our understanding gender dynamics in the ancient society by suggesting women held positions of significant power and influence.” 

Read more: Unearthing Painted Worlds | Archaeological Discoveries and Conservation Efforts at Pañamarca, Peru 

The site of Pañamarca, located in the coastal region of northern Peru, is an archaeological marvel. Thriving between 1,700 and 1,200 years ago, the Moche were known for their rich, elite tombs, impressive architecture and exquisite artworks, as well as elaborate religious artifacts and imagery. 

Constructed atop a granite hill in the lower Nepeña Valley, Pañamarca features an imposing stepped adobe platform, two expansive adobe platforms, a large walled plaza and numerous other structures. The site is perhaps best known for its vibrant wall paintings, first published in the 1950s, which depict scenes of priests and warriors in procession, battles between supernatural beings and even an unusual two-faced man. 

This past summer, the team, which also includes Jessica Ortiz Zevallos, Jose Ochatoma Cabrera, and Dr. Lisa Trever of Columbia University spent significant time revealing and conserving the “Hall of the Moche Imaginary (Sala del Imaginario Moche).” Prior seasons of the project’s research had documented many painted surfaces within this hall, including paintings of elegantly dressed men and women, warriors with spider, deer, canid and serpent features, and multiple battles between the Moche mythic hero and his enemies from the sea. This season, they uncovered an adobe throne surrounded by walls and pillars adorned with murals that depict four different scenes of a powerful woman within the space. 

“Pañamarca continues to surprise us,” said Dr. Trever, professor of art history at Columbia University. “Not only for the ceaseless creativity of its painters but also because their works are overturning our expectations of gender roles in the ancient Moche world.” 

The powerful woman illustrated on the walls and pillars of the throne room — and on the throne itself — is associated with the crescent moon, the sea and its creatures, and the arts of spinning and weaving. Mural paintings uncovered in July include a rare scene depicting an entire workshop of women spinning and weaving, as well as a procession of men carrying textiles and the female leader’s crown, complete with her braids. 

Scholars will likely debate whether the woman in the painting is a priestess, queen or mythical goddess. However, the physical evidence of the throne—characterized by erosion on its back support—as well as the recovery of greenstone beads, fine threads and even human hair, strongly indicates that it was occupied by a real living person. The evidence points to a seventh-century female leader of Pañamarca, suggesting that women held significant power and influence in this ancient society. 

The project’s excavations on Pañamarca’s plaza have also revealed a monumental structure that was entirely unknown to prior research. The “Hall of the Braided Serpents (Sala de las Serpientes Trenzadas)” was also built with wide square pillars. Many of these pillars were arrayed with paintings of intertwining serpents with human legs—a motif not seen elsewhere in Moche art. Other surfaces were decorated with images of warriors, anthropomorphized weapons and a large monster chasing a man. The Hall of the Braided Serpents underwent multiple renewal events that included copious material offerings — most notably textiles — burning events, the careful capping of floors and the whitewashing of previously decorated walls.  

The team's discoveries at Pañamarca have garnered significant interest from both the media and the public. Notably, the throne room was recognized by Archaeology Magazine as one of the "Top 10 Discoveries of 2024." The discoveries not only provide invaluable insight into the role of women in Moche culture but also opens the door for further research into the socio-political structures of ancient Peru. Moreover, the findings underscore the importance of women in leadership positions and their contributions to art, spirituality and community throughout history. 

“I’m excited to see what amazing discoveries lie ahead for the Archaeological Landscapes of Pañamarca project and the remarkable stories that we will uncover to deepen our understanding of Moche culture and society,” said Dr. Koons. 

The archaeological research program at Pañamarca is supervised by archaeologists and conservators from Peru’s Ministry of Culture headquarters in Lima and the regional office of the Dirección Desconcentrada de Cultura de Ancash. Funding for this project is generously provided by the Avenir Conservation Center at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. 

Follow the project at facebook.com/paisajespanamarca, instagram.com/paisajespanamarca or www.panamarca.org.  

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