Chincha

The Chincha were a well-organized polity on the southern coast of Peru, contemporary with the Chimú state. While extensive archaeological research exists for the Chimú, information on the Chincha primarily comes from historical sources.1

During the early years of Spanish rule, the Chincha polity was assigned to Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. It was described as having approximately 30,000 households. A notable characteristic of the Chincha was their significant maritime orientation, with many households engaged in high-seas fishing and long-distance trade. They were known for their interest in warm waters off the Ecuadorean coast, over 1,000 miles away, and their trade in spiny oyster shells, which were believed to encourage rainmaking.1

Unfortunately, the Chincha population rapidly declined within the first three decades of the Spanish invasion.1