Lord of Sipan, A Peru Highlight

November 27, 2009

The ancient cultures of Peru are among the most interesting and intriguing of the entire South American continent.  Previously remote, hidden and little known, most of the sites which testimony the existence of these exceptional cultures, are now easily accessible and have come to enrich and increase the varied offer of tourist attractions of Peru.  Such is the case with the Royal Tombs of Sipán.

Located 35 kilometers south of the city of Chiclayo, on the department of Lambayeque,  on Peru’s northern coast, it takes just a 40 minute ride from Chiclayo to reach one of the most remarkable archaeological Sites in memory of one single individual: the Lord of Sipán…

This phenomenal burial site provides rich information about the culture which dominated for centuries the north of present-day Peru: the Moches.  On the Fourth Century of our Era, the Moches buried the most important of their “Lords”… and they did so with an intriguing and amazing grandeur… He was buried, head to the south, covered his nose and eyes with pure gold ornaments and dressed him with silver, down to his feet.  To accompany him, they sacrificed numerous women, children and llamas.  The best warriors were also sacrificed so they would protect the Lord on his voyage….

The structure built for such occasion is one of three pyramidal complexes where the Lord rests with his large entourage. Archaeologists have been impressed with the grandiose character given to this burial site, considered a spectacular discovery, which encrypts, in addition to some fabulously rich ornamentations, much of the history and ways of life of the legendary Moche culture and people, who inhabited the area more than 1700 years before our days.

The admirable Site was discovered in 1987 and has been widely studied… The proximity with inhabited centers such as Chiclayo and the closer one, Lambayeque, allowed for easy access and thus, the famous Lord, highly venerated in his days, has become a personality of our times, having toured many countries of several continents, as the itinerant physical testimony of an extraordinary and millenary culture.

Presently, the Lord of Sipán, rests in peace, back in his place of original burial.  A wide exhibit can be visited at the Royal Tombs of Sipán Museum in the city of Lambayeque and the Brunning Museum, a short distance away from the same city also provides with elements related with the remarkable Moche culture and the fabulous burial complex for the much admired and noble Lord, who, thousands of years later, unveils his mysteries for the present and future generations.

With a pleasant weather, more into the warm side, with temperatures fluctuating between 15 and 30° Celsius, according to the season, the northern coast of Peru, and the Chiclayo and Lambayeque areas are certainly worth a visit, and several tours and special interest programs are available to discover one of the most spectacular archaeological sites in South America, where the highlight is, of course, the forever famous “Lord of Sipán”, a symbol of his bygone days, perhaps an Era of splendor and high development for those times….