Lord of Sipán

The Lord of Sipán ("El Señor de Sipán") is a mummy found in Sipán by Peruvian archaeologist Walter Alva in the 1987. The tomb is in Sipán's Huaca Rajada, an area in Chiclayo.

The Lord of Sipán tomb is a Moche culture site in Peru. Some archaeologists hold it to be one of the most important archaeological discoveries in this region of the world in the last 30 years, because the main tomb was found intact and untouched by thieves.

Sipán is located in the northern part of Peru, close to the coast, in the middle of Lambayeque Valley, 35 km east of Chiclayo. Four tombs have been found in Sipán's Huaca Rajada, the huaca is a mausoleum built by the Moche culture that ruled the northern coast of Peru from around 1 AD to 700 AD, centuries prior to the Incas.

Location

The discovery was made in the town of Sipan, and Saltur annex belonging to the district Zaña. The site belonged to the Mochica culture that worships the god Aia Paec as principal deity, but also worshipped the sea and the Moon.

His clothing

The clothing of this warrior and ruler suggest he was approximately 1.67 m tall. He probably died within three months of governing. His jewelry and ornaments which indicate he was of the highest rank, include pectoral, necklaces, nose rings, ear rings, helmets, falconry and bracelets. Most were of gold, silver, copper, gold and semi-precious stones. In his tomb, were found more than 400 jewels.

His necklace of gold (on the left side of his chest) and silver (on the right) symbolized the Sun and the Moon. The display of both gods in the sky at a time of the day expressed the perfect balance, according to Moche mythology.

grave

Because of his high rank this ruler was buried along with eight people, apparently his wife and other two women possibly concubines, a military commander, a watchman, a banner holder and a child. Among the animals found was a dog.

The priest

Below the tomb of the Lord of Sipan, two other tombs were found, the priest and below the Old Lord of Sipan.

The priest, pieces were found indicating that it would be one of the main characters in the religious hierarchy of the Mochica civilization. This priest, by DNA analysis carried out, was contemporary to the Lord of Sipan. In the pieces that accompanied him stand out as religious symbols, the cup or bowl for the sacrifices, a metal crown adorned with an owl with its wings extended and other items for worship to the moon.

The Old Lord of Sipan

However, for the same DNA analysis, has proved that unlike with four generations, the Old Lord of Sipan was a direct ancestor of the Lord of Sipan, so we could think of a high-ranking hereditary.

In his tomb was found the remains of a young woman and a flame and sumptuous costumes filled with gold and silver.

DNA

Relying on tests conducted DNA and archaeological, has been able to establish the characteristics of the Lord of Sipan as the color of their skin, their type of lips, hair, eyes and other features of his face. Alike, were able to establish their age, so that reconstruction done corresponds to this ruling, as it was very good

Museum

Royal Tombs Museum of Sipán.Vista the importance of finding, Walter Alva prompted the construction of a museum called the Royal Tombs of Sipan, which was inaugurated in 2002. Located in Lambayeque, and was inspired by the ancient pyramids of the truncated pre-Hispanic Moche civilization, (I to VII century AD). The museum custody more than two thousand pieces of gold.

Obviously the main attraction is the tomb of the Lord of Sipan, with his companions and their respective Funerary. español » inglés Traduzca