The Huaca Cao Viejo ceiling fragments

The ceiling once covered the site of the Huaca Cao Viejo collapsed during the IIX century.
From the fragments found, we know that the ceiling was decorated with paintings, and that unlike all other Moche ceilings found, it was not just whitewashed.

This Moche ceiling is unique. It is the only painted one ever found. Unfortunately it disintegrated some time in the past, and all that remains are about 5000 broken pieces, some as small as a thumb-nail. Of the others, most are no larger than a fist.

The painted face of the fragments has the structure shown to the right. The fragments are made of adobe, covered with a white base, decorated with drawings using 9 colors. In some cases it is possible to see the incisions made on the contours of the drawings.

The adobe ceiling was held in place by canes, and tied together with small ropes.