How to Dominate in the Underworld: A Guide for Incans

Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru has arrived at the Australian Museum in Sydney and will be open until Feb. 28, 2025.

If you’re a history enthusiast, a culture aficionado, or simply enjoy admiring ancient artifacts, now is your chance.

Displaying astonishing treasures, the exhibit includes artifacts related to the afterlife such as a silver knife used in human sacrifices (yes, you read that correctly) and various gold and other items.

Prepare for a captivating journey into the spiritual realm of ancient Peru, where the Moche people took their beliefs about the underworld very seriously.

Moche Warriors Living Between 100–700 AD

Imagine yourself as a Moche warrior living between 100–700 AD and getting ready to participate in a ritual known as tinkuy. This ceremonial combat was not about the glory of war or the spoils of victory; its purpose was to determine who would be offered as a sacrificial VIP to the gods.

The stakes were high, and defeat meant more than just a blow to your pride. It meant being captured, losing your status as a warrior, and being prepared for a ritual sacrifice.

It was less about being an “epic war hero” and more about being a guest star in an ancient sacrificial ritual.

Moche art, known for its detailed ceramics and murals, vividly portrays these events.

Visualize defeated warriors bound and humiliated, paraded in front of the community, and then sacrificed in a ritualistic manner.

It’s graphic, intense, and incredibly intriguing.

Their final destiny? Having their hearts removed—yes, that was the grand finale.

The Heart as the Ultimate Moche Power Source

Why the heart, you may wonder? For the Moche, the heart was more than just an organ; it symbolized the ultimate power source.

It represented bravery, vitality, and all the qualities that made a warrior deserving of the gods’ attention.

By offering it in sacrifice, the Moche believed they were releasing that life force to maintain cosmic harmony.

The gods received their tribute, the universe stayed in balance, and the crops continued to grow (hopefully).

The Celestial VIP Room

However, here’s the intriguing part: for those sacrificed, the underworld wasn’t a place of punishment; quite the opposite.

The Moche believed the sacrificed warriors were elevated to a special realm in the afterlife, akin to a celestial VIP lounge where they served the gods in a spiritual capacity. Their deaths were regarded as noble, not tragic, and their spirits became integral to the cosmic order that sustained the world.

The Moche’s underworld wasn’t a simple afterlife; it was a nuanced, intricate space of transformation and honor for those who entered it.

Sacrificial victims weren’t mourned but honored for their role in maintaining the cosmic balance. Their eternal existence wasn’t about leisure; it was about becoming mediators between the human realm and the divine, ensuring fertility, equilibrium, and concord for the living.

The Cosmic Dedication of the Incas

From a contemporary standpoint, this blend of horror movie scenarios and deep spiritual devotion may seem bewildering. Yet, for the Moche, this was simply how things operated.

Life, death, and the gods were interwoven, and sacrifice was crucial for upholding the delicate equilibrium of the universe.

Yes, it’s grisly and dramatic, but it’s also profoundly inspiring when you consider the level of commitment to the cosmic order displayed by these individuals.

So, as you stroll through the Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru exhibition and encounter those sacrificial artifacts, take a moment to contemplate the Moche’s perspective.

These warriors weren’t merely victims; they were essential players in the cosmic scheme, safeguarding their people’s survival while ensuring their own transcendence.

Whether you’re a history aficionado, a fan of ancient cultures, or simply intrigued by the macabre details, the Moche’s sacrificial rituals serve as a reminder of the profound connection humans have always had to the mysteries of life, death, and the great beyond.

Ancient drama? Absolutely. And undeniably fascinating.