The Moche tomb of Senora de Cao and Mortuary Temple of the Pharaoh Hatshepsut hint at the role of gender through visual language. The Senora de Cao was buried with multiple objects that are typically associated with masculinity in Moche culture, including dozens of nose rings and multiple weapons. Depictions of men featuring nose rings and women without in Moche art assist in inferring the differences in gender expression throughout Moche culture. As the Moche are thought to be a masculine-run society, symbols of power such as weapons and headdresses are typically associated with masculinity. The inclusion of these objects in a female person’s tomb is significant and hints at remarkable notoriety and/or power.
