Urban planning

In order to consider an urban archaeological center a city, there must be present certain basic elements such as industrial production areas, administrative areas, elite residences, service areas for the residents (markets, warehouses, water, etc.) and temples. According to the results of the archaeological research done in the area located between both Huacas, this urban center was indeed a city.

According to recent investigations, the city presents an orthogonal planning, with alleys 1.8 meters wide separating groups of houses. These alleys led to open spaces of about 20 meters per side, called plazas by the researchers.

It should also be noted that in addition to the alleys there were also big “avenues”, which separated the urban center from a more elitist area, where the architecture had both sacred and domestic functions. This is why, the polychrome reliefs on display there are linked to the Huaca de la Luna.

According to archaeologists, it is probable that there were also other “avenues” to separate the urban center from the Huaca del Sol, but this is still a hypothesis that should be confirmed through archaeological research.

It is important to stress that the planning of avenues, alleys, plazas and the presence of water supply channels like the ones found in the city, are proof that there was a great central power in this area, one capable of establishing the traces of the city. This is also proof that the Moche society achieved a high level of organization.

Urban development