Huaca Rajada-Sipan Monument (Lord of Sipan), near Chiclayo, Peru

Huaca Rajada-Sipan Monument (Lord of Sipan), near Chiclayo, Peru

Sipan sign.
In February 1987, shortly after the police found prehispanic handicrafts of the finest quality in the hands of local gravelooters or huaqueros, archaeologists decided to have a closer look at one small platform on the west side of the archaeological site called “Huaca Rajada” (Split “Huaca” or Adobe Ruin), close to the modern village of Sipan. Their efforts were richly rewarded with the first of several ensuing discoveries of spectacular tombs of the Moche nobility.

Sipan: Discover the funeral tombs of the Moche King.
Sipán is a Moche archaeological site in northern Peru that is famous for the tomb of El Señor de Sipán (Lord of Sipán), excavated by Walter Alva. It is considered to be one of the most important archaeological discoveries in the last thirty years, because the main tomb was found intact and undisturbed by thieves.

Anthropomorphic figure.

Funerary tomb and artifacts.
The Moche people lived from about IOO BC to 650 AD. The discovery of the intact, unlooted tombs of Sipan has been enormously helpful to our understanding of American prehistory.

Sign about the tomb (in Spanish)

Skeletal remains.
Four tombs have been found in Sipán's Huaca Rajada, a mausoleum built by the Moche culture that ruled the northern coast of Peru from around 1 AD to 700 AD.

Lord of Sipan (mannequin), with Mochica ceremonial outfit and jewelry.

Sign: "Componentes Arquitectonicos de Sipan"

Model of levels of tombs, layers of pyramid.

Museum: original adobe bricks.

Sign: Various adobe brick symbols.

Sign: "Los Murales de Sipan"

Sign: "Sipan Despues de Los Mochicas"

Sign: "Las Lluvias y su Impacto"

Sign: "La Cultura Lambayeque"

Funerary remains - "recreacion de un entierro Lambayeque"

Sign: ""La Cultura Chimu"

Funerary remains from Chimu

Sign: "La Cultura Chimu - Inka"

Sign: "Complejo Arquitectonico Pampa Grande"

Sign: "Los Alrededores de Sipan"

Museum artifacts

Sipan Billboard: "Welcome to the Archaeological Monument Huaca Rajada-Sipan
(Splendor of the Moches in Lambayeque)

Sipan archaeological site.
The complex of Huaca Rajada, Split Huaca, lies in the upper-middle section of the Lambayeque valley, south of the Reque River. It derives its name from a large cut made through the site by road-building. This huaca consists of two large, badly- eroded pyramids to the east of the road and a smaller platform on the opposite side of the road. Recent investigations have centered on the smaller platform, often called simply "Huaca de Sipan;, which belongs to the Moche culture and was used for burials of people of the highest rank within Moche society. The other two structures, large, badly-eroded, stepped pyramids, seem to have been remodeled in post-Moche times and are still under investigation.

Excavation of a tomb.
So far, researchers have excavated three major tombs of spectacular contents, and many other minor burials also have been found all through the platform. The first major discovery, Tomb 1, was uncovered shortly after excavators found an enormous cache of 1,137 ceramic pots, which overlay the skeleton of a man in sitting position. This position was unusual because the Moche normally buried their dead lying flat and facing upwards. Later, the researchers nicknamed this man "The Guardian" because his feet had been cut off, perhaps to prevent him from leaving his position, and because of his position above (i.e. guarding) the tomb of "The Lord of Sipan".

Skeletal remains in an excavated tomb.

Replica of the Lord of Sipan's burial chamber.
The burial of this prominent Moche leader, which represents an extremely complex archaeological find, has been carbon-dated to 290 AD. It includes many dedicatory offerings that were to accompany him in his afterlife, as well as all the items of clothing and insignia that marked his high status, and other items considered necessary to protect him in the world of the dead.

Sign: "Tumba 15, Noble Mochica"
This “Lord of Sipan” was 5’4” tall and died of an undetermined illness at 35-45 years of age, within the average life expectancy of the Moche population. He was buried in a wooden coffin with full regalia, including pectoral shields made of shell, bone and stone, several blankets adorned with ornate, gilded, copper platelets, two necklaces of very fine metalwork, feather ornaments, headdresses and three sets of earspools inlaid with turquoise.

Another excavated tomb (at Huaca Rajada)

lt would seem that the people lavishly buried in the "Huaca Rajada de Sipan", who one must assume ruled the area around the site, and quite possibly a large portion of the valley, engaged highly-skilled metalworkers. Many items found in their graves come from afar, like the tropical mollusk shells laid down whole or as fine beads for the elaborate pectorals. These were trade items, and it is quite possible that exquisite Moche style metalwork like that found in the graves was used for engaging in just such long distance trade.

Posing at the archaeological site.

Susie surveys the artifacts with our impromptu guide, Jonathan

Sign: "20 Anos, del descubriamento" / Excavaciones Arqueologicas 2007

The Monument, with the hill (pyramid) where the excavations take place.
Construction of the adobe pyramid that yielded the renowned "Royal Tombs of Sipan" was begun during the first century AD; the sixth and last phase of major construction was completed about three centuries later. Even during the clearing of rubble left behind by some initial looting of the site, sumptuous objects began coming to light. The looters had left behind ceramics, metal masks, metal earplugs, and even an elaborate royal scepter.