What happened
The Moche built great adobe platform mounds such as the Huaca del Sol and Huaca de la Luna and irrigated the desert valleys for farming. Their elite staged elaborate ceremonies, including human sacrifice.
Background
Moche artisans produced masterful portrait vessels, fineline painting, and gold and copper metalwork. Rich tombs such as that of the Lord of Sipán reveal their wealth and beliefs.
Consequences
The Moche declined by around AD 800, perhaps amid drought and flooding linked to climate swings. Their art and monuments remain central to understanding the ancient Andean coast.