Pañamarca Revisited: An Evening with Dr. Michele Koons
Join Denver Museum of Nature & Science Director of Anthropology and Conservation, Dr. Michele Koons, and Dr. Lisa Trever, Professor of Art History and Archaeology at Columbia University and co-director of the Pañamarca Archaeological Project, for an exclusive update from Pañamarca, the extraordinary archaeological site on Peru's northern coast that is reshaping what researchers know about the ancient Moche civilization. Working alongside an international team of archaeologists, conservators and art historians, Museum researchers and their collaborators have helped uncover remarkable new discoveries at this vibrant ceremonial center, known for its spectacular murals and richly painted architecture. Dr. Trever is a leading specialist in the art and archaeology of ancient Peru and has co-directed research at Pañamarca since 2010, bringing international attention to the site's extraordinary painted landscapes and visual culture.
In recent field seasons, the Pañamarca team revealed previously unknown ceremonial halls filled with colorful imagery, mythological figures, and scenes of ritual life. Among the most significant discoveries is a painted throne room linked to a powerful female leader, offering rare evidence of women's leadership and authority within Moche society more than 1,300 years ago. The find has been recognized as one of the most important archaeological discoveries of recent years and is transforming how scholars understand power and identity in ancient Peru.
Through stunning photographs, field stories and the latest research, Drs. Koons and Trever will take audiences inside the excavation, conservation and interpretation efforts at Pañamarca. Learn how archaeologists uncover fragile painted surfaces hidden for centuries, how art historical research helps decode the meaning of ancient imagery, what these discoveries reveal about the Moche people, and why Pañamarca continues to produce new insights into one of the Americas' most fascinating ancient civilizations. Dr. Trever, author of Image Encounters: Moche Murals and Archaeo Art History and Director of Columbia University's Center for Archaeology, will offer unique perspectives on the murals, visual narratives and ceremonial spaces that make Pañamarca one of the most important archaeological sites in the Andes today.
Whether you're fascinated by archaeology, ancient cultures or the thrill of discovery, this special Museum program offers a rare opportunity to hear directly from the researchers helping uncover an extraordinary chapter of human history.