Decline of Moche Culture

Timeline

1. 501–550Moche Valley irrigation zone · PeruSuccessive El Niño events brought alternating floods and prolonged droughts, destroying the carefully maintained Moche irrigation canals and farmland. Sharp drops in agricultural output led to food shortages, shaking the economic foundation that sustained the Moche state apparatus.
2. 550–580Temple of the Sun (Huaca del Sol) · La Libertad RegionThe core ceremonial complexes of the Moche Valley were hit by floods and social upheaval; the old Temple of the Moon was closed around the 6th century and a new temple built, while the Temple of the Sun still saw expansions in the late period. Centralized authority weakened, but it should not be written as though both valleys collapsed simultaneously in the 6th century.
3. 600–800Lambayeque Valley · Lambayeque RegionAfter the southern Moche collapse, the Moche Phase V polity of the Lambayeque Valley continued with Pampa Grande as its capital until about the mid-8th century; around 750–800 Pampa Grande was burned and abandoned, ending the Moche political tradition. The Lambayeque (Sicán) culture then rose, inheriting some Moche artistic themes but establishing a different political structure.