Senor de Sipan (Huaca Rajada) Travel Guide
Travel to Senor de Sipan (Huaca Rajada) - Incredible treasures in the valley of pyramids
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Long known about by locals, repeatedly ravaged by tomb raiders and grave robbers, the Huaca Rajada pyramid was the site of an unlikely and unprecedented discovery.
Since 1987 the largest hauls of pre-Columbian gold artefacts in Peru's history have been recovered, making headlines around the world. Twelve royal tombs were found, including that of the powerful Lord of Sipan. Reconstructions of the burials are displayed in the actual excavated tombs, located to the side of the largest, most imposing pyramid.
When Peruvian archaeologist Walter Alva began excavating the Sipan archaeological site, he didn't in his wildest dreams imagine he'd make the largest discovery in archaeology since the Tutankhamen find in Egypt.
The Huaca Rajada complex of the Sipan was a self-governing area in the northern reaches of the Moche cultural sphere of influence. A series of royal burials took place here, each one grander, more splendid and with more riches than the last. The last of these that took place belonged to the leader we call the Lord of Sipan, a man who reigned around 200A.D. and was of seemingly spectacular power and wealth.
His tomb, buried under a smaller pyramidal mound, is 5m by 5m and covered with criss-crossing beams of wood. The Lord of Sipan was placed in a coffin in this space with countless precious objects. He was buried with and surrounded by the bodies of important people, killed in order to accompany and serve him in the afterlife. Today the Sipan site is open to visitors and displays replicas of these fascinating tombs.
Attractions in Senor de Sipan (Huaca Rajada)
Tomb of the Senor de Sipan – In the tomb of the Señor de Sipán lies a replica of his body, surrounded by his treasures and several companions, including a guard with his feet removed, his wife and two young women.
Site museum – A scaled-model of the Huaca Rajada complex and a series of explanations greet visitors to the on-side museum. The fabulous gold artefacts now reside in the new Tumbas Reales museum in Lambayeque.
Getting Around
The town of Sipán and nearby ruins are 45 minutes travel by public bus from central Chiclayo, though the area around the local bus station can be dangerous.
The bus leaves you on the main road where you must walk for 10 minutes.
Finding organised private transport would be advisable.
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