Lord of Sipán
Lord of Sipan Museum
The Royal Tombs of Sipán
In the fourth century AD, the Moche people buried one of their greatest warlords. He was buried with his head pointing south, his nose and ears covered with gold relics and his feet clad in silver. To accompany him, his subjects sacrificed women, children and llamas, while the finest warriors of the era accompanied their overlord on his voyage to the Afterlife.
More than 1,700 years later, the warlord made his triumphant reappearance. Not that he did it by himself: in 1987, a team of archaeologists led by Walter Alva found the skeleton of the Lord of Sipán 29 km from the city of Chiclayo in the department of Lambayeque, on Peru's north coast. It was hailed as one of the most important archaeological finds of the century. The structure found in Sipán is made up of three pyramids, one of which contained the warrior-priest accompanied by the bodies of his followers.
But more than just the spectacular nature of the discovery and the sterling quality of the relics, the Royal Tombs of the Lord of Sipán have enabled historians and archaeologists to piece together much of the lost history of an impressive civilization which dominated most of northern Peru for centuries: the Moche.
After spending years on exhibit in the Americas, Europe and Asia, the treasures of the Lord of Sipán are now on display at the Museum "Tumbas Reales de Sipán" in the town of Lambayeque. This will ensure the ancient noble will continue to unravel his mysteries for future generations.
Tourism, research and preservation in the Valley of the Pyramids
Program featuring archaeological tourism with the Tucume pyramids complex, one of the country´s most important pre-inca centers because of the dimensions and quality of its structures, as the main attraction.
Comprised of dozens of mud-brick pyramids formed around the sacred mountain of La Raya, the valley offers observation expeditions to museums and archaeological sites, participation in archaeological research, healing rituals and ora traditions.
Throughout the trip, there is an intensive cultural exchange with local residents through visits to workshops where textiles and pottery are handmade, participation in religious festivities and sampling of exquisite and varied cooking.
Innovative elements: A unique experience, which combines archaeological tourism and intensive interaction with local residents. Also worth highlighting is the active participation of the community in the development of tourism and in the preservation of its natural and cultural heritage.
