Chimor
Chimor was a pre-Inca kingdom on Peru’s northern coast, ruled by the Chimú from Chan Chan until the Inca conquest around 1470.
Chimú culture: An archaeological culture of Peru’s northern coast, known for its urban centers, craftwork, irrigation, and expansion under Chimor. Chimor was the kingdom associated with this culture and its people.
Chimú irrigation: Canal systems that diverted river water across the arid valleys of Peru’s northern coast. Irrigation expanded the agricultural base supporting Chimor’s population and rule.
Sicán culture: An archaeological culture centered in the Lambayeque region of northern Peru, flourishing before and alongside Chimor’s expansion. Sicán polities were neighboring powers in the region from which Chimor emerged.
Inca conquest of Chimor: The Inca campaign that defeated Chimor and incorporated its territory into the expanding Inca Empire around 1470. This conquest ended Chimor’s independence and redirected its labor and resources.
Chan Chan: A vast adobe city on Peru’s northern coast that served as Chimor’s capital. Its palace compounds and neighborhoods formed the kingdom’s political center.
Chimú metalworking: The production of gold, silver, copper, and alloy objects by Chimú craftspeople. Specialized workshops supplied elite goods and displayed the kingdom’s control of skilled labor.
Lambayeque culture: A pre-Columbian culture of northern Peru, also known as Sicán, noted for metalwork and monumental centers. Its centers and traditions formed part of the political landscape Chimor encountered.
Inca Empire: The largest empire in pre-Columbian America, centered in the Andes and governed from Cuzco. The empire annexed Chimor and inherited its coastal population and craft expertise.
Moche culture: An ancient civilization of northern Peru, known for monumental architecture, fine ceramics, and complex irrigation. Moche traditions preceded Chimor in the same coastal region.
Chimú ceramics: Ceramic vessels and objects made in Chimú styles, often featuring distinctive black surfaces and molded forms. Ceramics reveal shared artistic conventions across Chimor’s political domain.