Priestess Burial in San Jose de Moro

In 1991 the tombs of women priestess were found in San Jose de Moro. This discovery by archeologist suggest that some of the women in the Moche were very powerful and that the power did not completely lie in the hands of men in Moche society. The tombs of the Moche priestesses were filled with many quality goods such as metal and also other human sacrifices. The women were buried with attire and alongside many ornaments that were represented in iconography found by archeologist. For example the women were buried with sacrificial goblets which are often represented in Moche iconography. Before the discovery of the priestess, many archeologists were left to question the role of women in Moche society and their prominence and importance in society. In one of the tombs lie a 40 year old female in a cane coffin. This priestess was surrounded by 5 other females in her coffin. She also buried with Spondylus shells, necklaces, metal objects, and ceramic vessels. The second tomb was occupied by a very young priestess who was around 7 years old. This young priestess is also surrounded by other corpses (both boys and girls). She is also surrounded by metal and ceramic vessels.
With the discovery of these tombs, archeologist are able to confirm that these priestesses were very well respected and achieved high status in the Moche society.