Ancient site · Tomb
Sipán (Huaca Rajada)
Also known as Huaca Rajada, Lord of Sipán
Eroded adobe pyramids in the Lambayeque valley of northern Peru, where tomb looters tunnelled in and struck gold in February 1987. Archaeologists Walter Alva and Susana Meneses then excavated royal tombs from 1987 to 1990, above all that of the 'Lord of Sipán', a Moche ruler buried with a spectacular treasure of gold, silver and gilded copper ornaments.
It was one of the richest burials ever found in the Americas, and its finds are now in the Royal Tombs of Sipán Museum in Lambayeque.
- Dates
- c. 50–700 CE
- Still standing
- Yes
- Location
- 6.80° S, 79.60° W
How we know
No writing existed; the tombs are dated by radiocarbon and by Moche pottery and metalwork styles.
Nearby sites
- Huaca Prieta c. 12,500–2000 BCE
- Huacas del Sol y de la Luna c. 100–800 CE
- Sechín Bajo c. 3500–1300 BCE
- Chavín de Huántar c. 1200–500 BCE (dates debated)
- Real Alto Valdivia village c. 3800–1500 BCE (earlier traces)
- Caral (Sacred City of Caral-Supe) c. 2600–2000 BCE
Related
- Moche culture archaeological culture
- The world in 1 BCE: The Augustan World chapter