Comunión e interexistencia. El Spondylus spp. en la Costa Norte del Perú durante el Intermedio Tardío (800-1450 d.C).

The aim of this article is to explain the importance of the Spondylus spp. on the northern coast of Peru during the development of the Chimu and Lambayeque cultures (800-1450 A.D.). Through the study of archaeological sources in the north of Peru, this paper analyzes the places where these shells were collected and their ritual use. When humans gathered them, they were helped by the gods and the relationship between them was condensed by the malacological material. When the rituals were held, the Spondylus spp. helped to unfold the condensed relationship and once again, establish a communion between humans and gods. This relationship resulted in the creation of two different worlds, one that belonged to humans and another that was beyond their control. These two worlds were so closely connected that both owed their existence to that constant interaction. In this sense, both realities inter-existed due to the relationship which rested on the communion, through the Spondylus spp., between beings from the two spheres: humans and gods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]