Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the locals were invited to train to become excavators, researchers and guards at the site,
which now provides steady employment for many. The full story was detailed by Dr Alva
in the October 1988 and June 1990 issues of
National Geographic,
and the May 1994 is-
sue of
Natural History
.
The Lord of Sipán turned out to be a major leader of the Moche people, indicated by his
elaborate burial in a wooden coffin surrounded by hundreds of gold, ceramic and semipre-
cious mineral objects, as well as an entourage consisting of his wife, two girls, a boy, a
military chief, a flag-bearer, two guards, two dogs and a llama. Another important tomb
held the
sacerdote
(priest), who was accompanied into the afterlife with an equally im-
pressive quantity of treasures, as well as a few children, a guardian whose feet were cut
off and a headless llama. Archaeologists don't understand why the body parts were re-
moved, but they believe that important members of the Moche upper class took with them
in death those who composed their retinues in life.
Some of the tombs have been restored with replicas to show what they looked like just
before being closed up more than 1500 years ago. Opposite the entrance is the
Museo de
Sitio Sipán
(admission S8, entrance included in site ticket; 9am-5pm Mon-Fri)
,
opened in January 2009, which is worth a visit - but note that the most impressive arti-
facts, such as the Lord of Sipán and the Sacerdote, were placed in the Museo Tumbas
Reales de Sipán in Lambayeque, after going on world tour. Spanish- and English-speaking
guides can be hired (S30).
Daily guided tours are available from tour agencies in Chiclayo for around S50. Altern-
ately, buses for Sipán (S3, 45 minutes) leave frequently from Chiclayo's Terminal de Mi-
crobuses Epsel.
LAMBAYEQUE
074 / POP 47,900
About 11km north of Chiclayo, Lambayeque was once the main town in the area but now
plays second fiddle to Chiclayo.
Sights
The town's museums are its best feature. The two museums in Lambayeque are both with-
in a 15-minute walk of the plaza.
La Casa de Logia
, a block south of the main plaza, has
a 67m-long, 400-year-old balcony, said to be the longest balcony in Peru. Most people
visit here on an organized tour from Chiclayo.
