Buried City of Knowes Weston
Knowes Weston
Moche (100–800 CE)·Moche·🇧🇴 Oruro, Bolivia
About
About Buried City of Knowes Weston
Buried City of Knowes Weston in Oruro, Bolivia is a Moche (100–800 CE) buried city attributed to Moche culture. Systematically investigated through systematic survey and coring, it presents a monumental core with necropolis. Construction employs dry-stone masonry and demonstrates craft specialization. Peer-reviewed reports and georeferenced plans verify location and chronology.
Why it mattersKey Moche buried-city with stratified sequence and regional significance.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Social hierarchy and elite control
- 02Long-distance exchange networks
Theories
- 01Centralized storage and redistribution (Cunliffe)
- 02Trading entrepôt and regional hub
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 146 CE
- Period
- Moche (100–800 CE)
- Culture
- Moche
- Purpose
- Residential and craft production
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c. 146 CE
Initial construction and primary occupation
c. 294 CE
Major enlargement and wall circuit added
c. 470 CE
Peak occupation and regional prominence
2008
Scientific excavation and conservation
On the ground
Structures & features
18.8415° S · 69.6064° W · 1732 m · 4 mapped features
Necropolis Extension
altarBurial zone — rock-cut chambers
18.8444° S · 69.6035° WAltar
petroglyphOutlier feature with cup marks
18.8425° S · 69.6061° WGateway
cisternHydraulic feature — well
18.8407° S · 69.6039° WGateway 4
courtyardHydraulic feature — well
18.8424° S · 69.6061° W