Gold diadem
Camaná valley, Peru, 1st century
AD
This diadem was discovered in 1824 in the
valley of the Camaná river of Peru. It would have been attached to
a mummy. A large face motif appears in the centre with three
smaller ones at the end of the arms. Lines beneath the eyes
represent tears and snake-patterns on either side refer to flowing
water. The face is probably that of a rain-god whose water was
believed to sustain life and civilization.