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The Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum is the most important cultural precinct in northern Peru and one of the ten best in South America. Inside it houses, as the main exhibit, the complete skeleton and burial goods of the Lord of Sipan, ruler of the Mochica civilization, whose existence dates from 600 to 650 AD.

Walter Alva, the Peruvian archaeologist who became famous for the discovery of the Royal Tombs of Sipan, stated that the valuable treasures found should be exhibited in a manner commensurate with their importance and promoted the construction of the brand new Royal Tombs Museum, inaugurated on November 8, 2002 in Lambayeque. Thousands of visitors from all over the world visit the site every year to contemplate these magnificent testimonies of the Mochica culture, one of the most complex and fascinating of the pre-Hispanic world.

The museum, located at Avenida Juan Pablo Vizcardo y Guzmán 895, in Lambayeque, has also become a kind of sanctuary and mausoleum that preserves the challenges, significance and memory of important Peruvian ancestors.

Among the best tours to visit the Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum we recommend the following:

1) Excursion to Sipan, Ventarron and Eten with ocean views

This tour offers diverse experiences: the best museum in the north of the country, the oldest pyramid in this part of the world, a corner of the coast of exceptional beauty and the most diverse handicraft market. They all blend together in a harmonious journey.

2023 Sipán, Ventarrón and Eten excursion with sea view (we start earlier) (tripadvisor.com)

2) Mochicas & Chimus (Chiclayo & Trujillo)

Peru is known for its Inca heritage, but the country was also home to many fascinating pre-Inca peoples. Explore its history and cultures on a 3-day guided archaeological tour from Chiclayo to Trujillo. Delve into the ancient worlds of the Sicán, Chimú and Moche civilizations by visiting Huaca Rajada (where the mummy of the Lord of Sipán was excavated in 1987), the Valley of the Pyramids, the ancient Chimú capital of Chan Chan and much more. Choose from a variety of budget accommodations to further enrich this trip.

2023 3 Day Empires of the North, Mochicas & Chimus (Chiclayo & Trujillo) (tripadvisor.com)

3) Chiclayo in one day: Huaca Rajada, Tucume and Royal Tomb of Sipan Museum with lunch.

Learn about two ancient Peruvian cultures and visit different archaeological sites on this private day tour from Chiclayo. Your guided excursion begins at Huaca Rajada, where archaeologists discovered the mummy of the Lord of Sipan in 1987. You will also explore Túcume, an 8th century site encompassing dozens of mounds and pyramids once belonging to the Sicán culture, and the Royal Tombs of the Lord of Sipán Museum, which houses Moche artifacts such as jewelry and headdresses.

Chiclayo in a Day: Huaca Rajada, Túcume and Sipan Royal Tomb Museum with lunch (tripadvisor.com)

4) Private Tour to the Royal Tomb of the Lord of Sipán Museum

Enjoy a fascinating visit to the Royal Tombs Museum, home to ancient treasures, mummies such as the Lord of Sipan and much more. Depart Chiclayo for Lambayeque to explore this wonderful collection of artifacts belonging to the Moche people of northern Peru. Learn more about this intriguing civilization that thrived in the region between the 1st and 8th centuries. 

Private Tour Lord of Sipan Royal Tomb Museum | Chiclayo, Peru (tripadvisor.com)

5) The Lord of Sipan Tour (3 Days / 2 Nights) Trujillo and Chiclayo

Unique and special service where you are the owner of your tour. Your guide is specialized in history and archaeology.

The Lord of Sipan Tour (3 Days / 2 Nights) Trujillo and Chiclayo | Peru (tripadvisor.com)

The Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum presents a design inspired by the ancient truncated pyramids of the Mochica culture, which developed in the Lambayeque region between the first and eighth centuries AD.

It is a structure with a roofed area of 3,156.45 square meters and has three floors or levels. The access is through a ramp of 74.21 meters long, just as the ancient Moche temples were accessed. This slope leads to the third floor. The visit is made from top to bottom, reliving the experience of the discoverers of the Lord of Sipan.

From the second floor you can see the exact replica of the burial chamber of the ancient Moche dignitary, called the Lord of Sipan, and thanks to the information on display you can learn about his culture, his technological achievements and his thinking about death, among other aspects of the pre-Inca civilization.

The center of the museum contains the Royal Mochica Hall where the Lord of Sipan is dressed in his warrior’s clothes and gold pectoral, as well as other jewelry of the same metal; the burial chamber of the ancient ruler along with eight skeletons of his companions.

Two other uncovered dignitaries are also exhibited, such as the priest and the old Lord of Sipan, of the same investiture as the Moche governor, all with their respective original vestments.

In this Royal Mochica Hall there are 35 mannequins that represent their political environment, ten of which are articulated figures, so they are in movement during the visits. It is an exact reconstruction of what was all the magnificence of the royal court of the Moche warrior and faithfully represents what was a Mochica retinue. 

The ornaments recovered from the tomb can also be appreciated, such as the gold coxal protector, among other important objects of the trousseau. It includes a message about the looting and the importance of protecting Peru’s cultural heritage.

The more than 600 jewels of the Moche governor are placed in glass cases. For their conservation, the environment is dark and there is only directed light. Among the pieces of the Moche dignitary are gilded copper banners on fabric, a gilded copper crown with royal symbols, shell pectorals, gold and turquoise earrings, spondylus, gold rattles, cotton headdresses and feather ornaments. 

Other pieces of gold, copper and sober fabrics are exhibited on one of the floors, as well as gold and turquoise earrings, a complete feline image, a gold pectoral made with snails, gold necklaces with representations of peanuts, several banners, a gold rattle with the figure of a cutthroat and a copper pectoral.

Lambayeque, the city where the Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum is located, is a coastal city in northern Peru and capital of the district and province of the same name in the department of Lambayeque. It is located 4.7 km from the city of Chiclayo and 13 km from the Pacific Ocean. It is an important cultural and educational center of the department, since it houses some of the most important museums in the country, such as the Royal Tombs Museum and the Brüning Museum. 

The city is part of the department of Lambayeque. 

This is a department and region in northwestern Peru known for its rich Moche and Chimú historical past. The region’s name comes from the ancient pre-Inca civilization of Lambayeque. It is the second smallest department in Peru after Tumbes, but also one of the most densely populated.

Approximately nine tenths of the department corresponds to the coastal and yunga regions and one tenth to the highlands (Cañaris and Incahuasi).

The Coast or Chala, comprising between zero meters and 500 meters above sea level, is made up of extensive alluvial plains, some of which are furrowed by rivers and others covered with sand. These plains are much larger than those of the southern departments and are interrupted by rocky hills without vegetation that can rise from 200 to 1000 meters above sea level.

The highlands of the department are located in the foothills of the western mountain range, and reach 3000 and 3500 meters above sea level.

The territory of the department of Lambayeque is made up of wide plains irrigated by rivers from the Andes; in most of the arid zone, irrigation is necessary to sustain any crop. The fertile river valleys produce half of Peru’s sugar cane crop. In addition, Lambayeque and the department of Piura provide most of the rice crop consumed in Peru.

An increase in the agricultural harvest is expected with the completion of the Olmos Trans-Andean Project. The water supply project will transfer up to 2 billion m3 of water annually from the Huancabamba River in the department of Cajamarca to eastern Lambayeque.

In the smaller-scale agriculture of earlier centuries, the carob forest of Olmos supported herds of goats that fed on carob. The fine goat skins were tanned to create the fine, pale leather known as “cordovan”, from the Spanish city of Cordoba, where the process was developed. Goat fat was used to make soap.

On the Pacific coast of the department of Lambayeque there are two small islands: Lobos de Afuera, and Lobos de Tierra; there was a dispute with the department of Piura over the ownership of the latter island.

It is bordered to the north by the Piura Region, to the southeast by the Cajamarca Region, to the south by the La Libertad Region and to the west by the Pacific Ocean.

The Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum has been a milestone in promoting Lambayeque as a sustainable tourist destination, having already received more than three million visitors since its inauguration. It is currently the museum that receives the most visitors in the millenary Inca nation.

What is the Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum History?

The Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum, like few other institutions, has its origin in an archaeological research project that allowed the scientific recovery of one of the most important cultural treasures of ancient Peru, providing the opportunity to present cultural goods contextualized and treated under a unitary thematic concept.

Archeologist Walter Alva and his team, including archeologists Luis Cheros, Susana Meneses and architect Celso Prado, took on the challenge of managing and building a museum that would conserve, house and disseminate this cultural treasure to the world.

Dr. Walter Alva pointed out that the architectural concept was based on the historical evocation of this culture. “The volumetric structure is based on prisms, forming a combination of truncated and sharp pyramids that recall mountains and sanctuaries. The prisms of the volume are defined by means of longitudinal flanges also inspired by the vertical and modular panels of typical Mochica architecture.”

On November 8, 2002, the museum was inaugurated, thus initiating its stage of operation at the service of science and tourism, becoming an institution of projection to the community, as a center for research, conservation and dissemination. 

The Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum is important for the history of South America.

The tomb of the Lord of Sipan is the most important archaeological discovery in America in the last 35 years. It is the only tomb of the Moche culture that has been found intact, since most of them have been looted by thieves.

Dr. Alva’s excavation was compared to the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in Egypt.

The discovery and investigation of the Royal Tombs of Sipan, is one of the few cases in the world that offer the opportunity to organize a museum presentation on an intact burial tomb and in which visitors can witness all the splendor of the jewelry and ornaments rescued so that we can learn about the advanced technological development reached by the Mochicas and their complex social organization and cultural concepts about life and death, issues of concern and relevance to humanity of all time.

If you are interested in knowing a little more about the museum and the Lord of Sipan himself, we recommend reading the following books: 

SIPAN. DISCOVERY AND RESEARCH. Walter Alva Alva. 1998.

ROYAL TOMBS OF SIPAN. Walter Alva. 1993. 

Royal Tombs of Sipan : Alva, Walter : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

Some facts to keep in mind when visiting the museum are the following:

It is possibly the best museum in Peru and one of the most reputable in South America.

Most of the informative texts and infographics are written in Spanish. However, it is possible to take a guided tour of the Royal Tombs Museum in the language of your choice.

The museum is wheelchair accessible.

The summer months on the Peruvian coast (January, February and March) are very hot in the north of the country. If you wish to make a more extensive tour and, for example, visit the delicious and renowned beaches of northern Peru such as Mancora, Colan and many others, then that is the perfect time for your trip. 

All year round the weather is kind in Lambayeque. In July you will find yourself at 19 degrees if you want to travel at a time with a more temperate temperature.

What is the Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum mean?

The Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum is the most important cultural precinct in northern Peru and one of the ten best in South America. Inside it houses, as the main exhibit, the complete skeleton and the funerary trousseau of the Lord of Sipan, ruler of the Mochica civilization, whose existence dates from 600 to 650 AD.

The museum is located at Avenida Juan Pablo Vizcardo y Guzmán 895, in Lambayeque, and has a construction design inspired by the ancient truncated pyramids of the pre-Inca Mochica culture, which developed in the Lambayeque region between the first and eighth centuries A.D.

It is a structure with a roofed area of 3,156.45 square meters and has three floors or levels. The access is through a 74.21 meter long ramp, just as the ancient Moche temples were accessed. This slope leads to the third floor. The visit is made from top to bottom, reliving the experience of the discoverers of the Lord of Sipan.

The Museum has also become a kind of shrine and mausoleum that preserves the challenges, significance and memory of important Peruvian ancestors.

When were the tombs at Sipan found?

The tomb of the Lord of Sipan was discovered on July 20, 1987 by archaeologists Walter Alva, Susana Meneses de Alva and Luis Chero Zurita. 

How many Earspools total were found in the royal tomb discovered at Sipán Peru?

In the tomb of the Lord of Sipan about 600 objects of great historical and monetary value were recovered. Ceramic and carved wood objects were also found in the sarcophagus, as well as pieces of gold, silver and precious stones. In terms of clothing, three pairs of gold and turquoise ear flares were found, as well as gold necklaces with representations of peanut fruits. The peanut represented the beginning or rebirth for the Mochica culture.

What are the artifacts in the Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum?

Regarding the artifacts exhibited in the Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum, we can point out that the center of the museum contains the Royal Mochica Hall where the Lord of Sipan is dressed in his warrior’s clothes and gold pectoral, as well as other jewelry of the same metal; the burial chamber of the ancient ruler along with eight skeletons of his companions.

Two other uncovered dignitaries are also exhibited, such as the priest and the old Lord of Sipan, of the same investiture as the Moche governor, all with their respective original vestments.

In this Royal Mochica Hall there are 35 mannequins that represent their political environment, ten of which are articulated figures, so they are in movement during the visits. It is an exact reconstruction of what was all the magnificence of the royal court of the Moche warrior and faithfully represents what was a Mochica retinue. 

The ornaments recovered from the tomb can also be appreciated, such as the gold coxal protector, among other important objects of the trousseau. It includes a message about the looting and the importance of protecting Peru’s cultural heritage.

The more than 600 jewels of the Moche governor are placed in glass cases. For their conservation, the environment is dark and there is only directed light. Among the pieces of the Moche dignitary are gilded copper banners on fabric, gilded copper crown with royal symbols, shell pectorals, gold and turquoise earrings, spondylus, gold rattles, cotton headdresses and feather ornaments. 

Other pieces of gold, copper and sober fabrics are exhibited on one of the floors, as well as gold and turquoise earrings, a complete feline image, a gold pectoral made with snails, gold necklaces with representations of peanuts, several banners, a gold rattle with the figure of a cutthroat and a copper pectoral.

When did Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum get its name?

The Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum got its name and was inaugurated on November 8, 2002. During the government of the president of Peru Alejandro Toledo Manrique.

Which Civilization used Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum for what? 

Between A.D. 100 and 800, in the arid Pacific coastal strip stretching 550 kilometers across northern Peru, the Mochicas, a rich and sophisticated cultural people, flourished. The Mochicas dug canals to irrigate their crops, established thriving trade networks that reached as far as Ecuador and Chile, and erected enormous pyramids (called huacas), palaces and temples. They also produced unique pottery and beautiful gold, silver and copper ornaments. But in the year 800, a series of cataclysms produced by a climatic change precipitated their end. The Mochicas disappeared, leaving their pyramids and burial sites as the only testimony of their existence.

Moche became famous around the world when in July 1987 an important discovery was made: the Royal Tombs of the Lord of Sipan were discovered. The tombs were found intact, something that is not usual due to the constant looting and desecration that these sites suffer to steal important pieces of gold, silver, as well as ceramics and textiles.

The night of the discovery, thanks to a tip provided by an informant, the police had acted in the small village of Sipan, where more than sixty people were looting a nearby site known as Huaca Rajada. At the home of Ernil Bernal, one of the looters, they found a juicy haul. When Alva arrived, he was completely astonished to see 33 magnificent ornaments, among which were some splendidly crafted jaguar-faced beads, one of which was made of almost pure gold.

The news of such splendid findings spread like wildfire, and men, women and children of Sipan quickly moved to Huaca Rajada to continue with the plundering. Walter Alva thought that he had to secure the recently looted tomb as soon as possible and accompanied by the police he went quickly to the site, where the archaeologist and the agents had to make an effort to disperse the multitude. 

Together with his collaborators Susana Meneses and Luis Chero, he decided to set up a camp protected by the police and established guard shifts among the team members. Alva himself would climb a watchtower set up at the excavation site every morning and, once there, would fire four or five shots into the air with his revolver to scare off the huaqueros.

On July 26, 1987, the team made an exceptional discovery: a skeleton with missing feet; no doubt, Alva thought, they were in front of the guardian of an intact tomb. The archaeologists continued excavating and in a niche they found another skeleton with amputated feet, arranged on a trellis of carob tree trunks and adobe under which they found a wooden coffin, almost disintegrated.

Next to this coffin lay the sacrificed bodies of two llamas, a small child, three women between 15 and 20 years old, two men between 35 and 40 years old, and a dog. “Then we saw the metal straps that tied the coffin, something totally new. The sarcophagus was undone. Oxidized copper objects began to appear. It was a very slow work, centimeter by centimeter. Already in the middle of September we were appreciating the hierarchy of the personage and the magnitude of the discovery”, Walter Alva would remember excitedly.

Indeed, when they uncovered the coffin of the dignitary, whom they called “Lord of Sipan”, they saw that he was accompanied by incalculable riches: he wore a golden crown, he wore turquoises on his clothes, two golden eyes were placed over his eyes, his chin was protected by a mask and his nose by a nose ring, both made of gold. He also had eleven pectorals of colored shells, bracelets with turquoises, a gold ingot in his right hand, a silver ingot in his left, a necklace with 71 gold spheres, a gold diadem 62 centimeters wide and a scepter topped by a gold pyramid.

The powerful lord, who was 1.63 meters tall, died at the age of 40, around 278 A.D., perhaps during an epidemic. Alva’s team completed excavation of the tomb in March 1988. But the work at Sipan continued, sponsored by the National Geographic Society, which defined the discovery as one of the most important of the 20th century, comparable to the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb or the terracotta warriors of Xian.

In 1989, two new tombs were discovered intact and full of treasures: that of the Old Lord, one hundred years before the Lord of Sipan and corresponding to a Mochica ruler of equal rank, and that of the Priest, dated around 220 A.D., apparently a character with a high religious position. Until 1999, the excavations in Sipan led to the discovery of 13 tombs from different periods.

With this wonderful discovery began the difficult task of recovering and studying each piece. Important findings were made about the Moche culture, their daily life, customs and beliefs and the importance of the gods and religious ceremonies.

The Lord of Sipan collection was also exhibited in different countries, raising enough funds to build the museum.

Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum Peru Guide: History, Hiking, Facts, Maps and Tours

What are the theories about the origin of the Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum?

Regarding the theories about the origin of the Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum, we can summarize the facts and events that gave rise to the museum as follows: 

The Lord of Sipan is the name given to the first of several Moche mummies found in Huaca Rajada, Sipan, Peru, by archaeologist Walter Alva. The site was discovered in 1987.

This finding is considered, by magazines such as National Geographic, as one of the most important archaeological discoveries in South America in the last 35 years, since the main tomb was found intact and untouched by thieves. By 2007, fourteen tombs had been located and identified in Huaca Rajada.

The Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum was built in nearby Lambayeque to house most of the artifacts and interpret the tombs. It was inaugurated in 2002 with Dr. Alva as its first director.

The Moche tombs of Huaca Rajada are located near the city of Sipan, in the Lambayeque valley. Sipan is located in the district of Zaña, in northern Peru. Near the coast, it is about 30 km east of the city of Chiclayo and about 50 km from Lambayeque.

Huacas like Huaca Rajada were built by the Moche and other South American cultures as monuments. The Huaca Rajada monument consists of two small adobe pyramids and a low platform. The platform and one of the pyramids were built before 300 A.D. by the Moche; the second pyramid of Huaca Rajada was built around 700 A.D. by a later culture. Many huacas were looted during and after the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire; looting of huacas is still a problem in many Peruvian historical sites.

In early 1987, looters excavating in Huaca Rajada found several gold objects. A disagreement between them led to the finding being reported to the local police. The police raided the site, recovered several objects, and alerted Dr. Alva.

Scientific analysis of the skeleton of the Lord of Sipan showed that he was 1.63 meters tall and between 35 and 45 years old at the time of his death. His jewelry and ornaments, which included headdresses, a face mask, a pectoral, (the pectoral was made of gold and had the head of a man and the body of an octopus) necklaces, nose rings, ear flares and other items, indicate that he was of the highest hierarchy. Most of the ornaments were made of gold, silver, copper and semiprecious stones.

The Lord of Sipan wore necklaces with gold and silver beads in the form of manis, which represent the earth. The manis symbolized that men come from the earth and that, when they die, they return to it. The peanuts were used because they were an important food for the Moche. The necklaces had ten grains on the right side, made of gold, which signified masculinity and the Sun god, and ten grains on the left side, made of silver, to represent femininity and the Moon god.

Six other people were buried next to the Lord of Sipan: three young women (wives or concubines who apparently had died some time before), two men (probably warriors) and a boy of about nine or ten years old. The remains of a third male (possibly also a warrior) were found on the roof of the burial chamber, sitting in a niche facing the chamber. There was also a dog, probably the favorite pet of the Lord of Sipan. The warriors who were buried with the Lord of Sipan had their feet amputated, as if to prevent them from leaving the tomb. The women were dressed in ceremonial clothing. In addition to the people, archaeologists found in the tomb hundreds of ceremonial objects and offerings (grave goods), and the remains of several animals, including a dog and two llamas.

Archaeological research and DNA testing made it possible to deduce certain physical characteristics of the ruler, such as the color of his skin, the shape of his lips, hair, eyes and other facial features. It was also possible to provide an accurate estimate of his age at the time of death, which allowed researchers to perform a more accurate facial reconstruction.

In 2009, a smaller museum was inaugurated at the Huaca Rajada site.

What are the myths about Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum?

Regarding the myths, legends and traditions related to the Royal Tombs of the Sipan Museum, we can comment that for the Mochicas, death was not the end. Men continued to live in another sphere of the world with their same obligations and privileges, which led them to bury them with provisions and goods. Burials thus reflected the function and place of each man within his society.

Among their rituals, they emphasized the importance of venerating their ancestors, their dead. In the Mochica cosmovision, the dead did not die. Death represented the transition from one world to another. This process was accompanied by a ceremony that had to be carried out with great care so that the deceased could reach their destiny.

Those ancient Moche myths and traditions would explain the importance of all the objects found in the royal tombs of Sipan.

Huaca sickness: The inhabitants of the Andean world claim to be able to recognize looters because huaca sickness transforms them into living mummies. The so-called mal de huaca can be produced, according to some experts, by the amount of bacteria in a tomb on the decomposing body. However, popular tradition suggests that it is a real curse.

When the huaqueros arrive and extract a treasure, from then on they are cursed. The traditions affirm that the people are drying up, that their face looks more and more like a skull, until the day in which they die. One could compare what happened in Sipan with what happened in the 1920s, in Egypt, with the tomb of Tutankhamen.

Before the tomb of the Lord of Sipan was discovered by the team of archaeologists led by doctors Walter Alva, Susana Meneses and Luis Chero Zurita, a group of huaqueros, the name given to tomb robbers in Peru, found the archaeological site and carried out a brutal looting of it.

The ringleaders of the group were the Bernal brothers, who were four of the ten thieves. Thanks to the squandering of the loot they made, and a tip-off from another competing thief, they were quickly found by the police.

Both in the case of the tomb of the Lord of Sipan and the tomb of Tutankhamun, the people who participated in the desecration died under strange circumstances. Ernil Bernal, leader of the huaqueros, was hit by a bullet. Another Bernal brother was crushed to death by a tractor he bought with the looting money. The rest of the looters died of tragic and inexplicable causes.

The ten huaqueros could have been victims of huaca sickness, whereby those who walk through ancient archaeological sites can absorb the negative energy of the spirits that inhabit the huacas.

Is Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum Important for Peru History?

The Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum is important for the history of Peru.

The tomb of the Lord of Sipan is the most important archaeological discovery in America in the last 35 years. It is the only tomb of the Moche culture that has been found intact; since, most of them had been looted by thieves.

The tomb was not discovered until 1987, when Peruvian archaeologist Walter Alva made the discovery. Alva’s excavation was compared to the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in Egypt.

The discovery and investigation of the Royal Tombs of Sipan, is one of the few cases in the world that offers the opportunity to organize a museum presentation on an intact burial tomb and in which visitors can witness all the splendor of the jewelry and ornaments rescued so that we can learn about the advanced technological development reached by the Mochicas and their complex social organization and cultural concepts about life and death, issues of concern and relevance to humanity at all times.

Tombs-of-Sipan-museum-Trip

Where is Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum Located?

 

The Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum is located at Avenida Juan Pablo Vizcardo Y Guzman 895, city of Lambayeque, province of Lambayeque, Peru.

What are the coordinates of Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum?

The coordinates of the Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum are as follows: -6.705°N -79.8994°W

How did Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum become well-known?

The theft of ancient tombs is a big problem in Peru and the world, so it was considered exceptional that archaeologists and researchers had access to a tomb that was almost complete as the one found in Huaca Rajada.

That was the first thing that drew worldwide attention to the Royal Tombs of the Lord of Sipan. From then on, it became known worldwide in the newspapers and magazines of the planet. Archaeologists found the mummified skeleton of a man 1.63 meters tall, along with the remains of six other people and a real treasure of jewels and other riches.

Huacas, natural or man-made monuments of special religious significance, were used by many cultures throughout Peru, including the Moche. Huaca Rajada, the huaca where the tomb of the Lord of Sipan was discovered, consists of two small adobe pyramids and a low platform.

The authorities first became aware of the tomb in 1987 when a disagreement between the thieves drew the attention of the police, who went on to arrest them, recover most of the stolen precious objects and alert Dr. Walter Alva and his team (including archaeologists Luis Chero Zurita and Susana Meneses) who undertook archaeological rescue work at Huaca Rajada and noticed that what was left of the looted tomb showed an unusual wealth in the Moche burials hitherto known. 

The Lord of Sipan, as he was called, was adorned with headdresses, necklaces, a face mask, a pectoral, earrings and nose rings, all made of gold or other precious metals. The tomb also contained hundreds of offerings and ceremonial items, including ornate pottery, textiles, knives, seashells, and sacrificed animals. 

What species can be found in Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum ?

In the Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum, a pavilion will be built to represent all the cultures of northern Peru, that is, the great circuit from Piura to La Libertad, passing through Amazonas and Cajamarca. Later on, a cultural center will be created where a library will be built, a botanical garden with the contribution of the Moche with their food, industrial and medicinal crops, a small zoo with fauna and typical species of the time and finally a kind of living museum, where a Moche pyramid and its artisan neighborhoods will be reconstructed, so that any visitor will feel that they can be transported to the time of the Moche and enter their world. For archaeologist Walter Alva, this cultural monument is the Museum of the XXI century.

The most common mammals that live in Lambayeque are the gray fox (Canis sechurae, smaller than the Andean fox and nocturnal), the carob tree squirrel (Sciurus satramineus), the white-tailed deer, the black bear, the skunk, the anteater, the iguana, the macanche boa, the puma, the muca and the ferret.

The forests are inhabited by bird species such as the huerequequeque and the pava aliblanca. Due to overexploitation and destruction of the forests, the terrestrial fauna is insignificant compared to the marine fauna in Lambayeque. 

Among the continental birds it is possible to see herons, gulls (Larus modestus), cuculíes (Zenaida asiatica meloda), pigeons, peches, partridges, pink flamingos, coots, putillas, cockatoos, chiscos, flycatchers, cicadas, sparrows, chilalalas, pirinches, swallows, parakeets, gallinules, hawks, eagles, white-winged guans and huerequeques.

Until two decades ago, the white-winged guan was considered extinct, but a few specimens were found in the extensive carob groves of Olmos, where the guan nests, and they are currently breeding in captivity. This bird, native to the dry forest of Lambayeque, has black plumage and white wing tips (hence its name). Male and female are equal in shape and usually fly in pairs.

In the wild, they feed on the fruits of carob, faique, higuerón and other forest species, as well as the overo, sheguicho and other herbs and shoots.

How is the Map of Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum Layout?

The plans for Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum are as follows:

Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum Peru Guide: History, Hiking, Facts, Maps and Tours

Elevation of the Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum

Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum façade and cuts

Plans of the Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum

How is the Geography of Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum ?

The Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum is located in the city of Lambayeque.

Lambayeque is a coastal city in northern Peru and capital of the district and province of the same name in the department of Lambayeque. It is located 4.7 km from the city of Chiclayo and 13 km from the Pacific Ocean. It is an important cultural and educational center of the department, as it houses some of the most important museums in the country, such as the Royal Tombs Museum and the Brüning Museum. 

The city is part of the department of Lambayeque. 

This is a department and region in northwestern Peru known for its rich Moche and Chimú historical past. The region’s name comes from the ancient pre-Inca civilization of Lambayeque. It is the second smallest department in Peru after Tumbes, but also the most densely populated and the eighth most populous.

Approximately nine tenths of the department corresponds to the coastal and yunga regions and one tenth to the highlands (Cañaris and Incahuasi).

The Coast or Chala, comprising between zero meters and 500 meters above sea level, is made up of extensive alluvial plains, some of which are furrowed by rivers and others covered with sand. These plains are much larger than those of the southern departments and are interrupted by rocky hills without vegetation that can rise from 200 to 1000 meters above sea level.

The highlands of the department are located in the foothills of the western mountain range, and reach 3000 and 3500 meters above sea level.

The territory of the department of Lambayeque is made up of wide plains irrigated by rivers from the Andes; in most of the arid zone, irrigation is necessary to sustain any crop. The fertile river valleys produce half of Peru’s sugar cane crop. In addition, Lambayeque and the department of Piura provide most of the rice crop consumed in Peru.

An increase in the agricultural harvest is expected with the completion of the Olmos Trans-Andean Project. The water supply project will transfer up to 2 billion m3 of water annually from the Huancabamba River in the department of Cajamarca to eastern Lambayeque.

In the smaller-scale agriculture of earlier centuries, the carob forest of Olmos supported herds of goats that fed on carob. The fine goat skins were tanned to create the fine, pale leather known as “cordovan”, from the Spanish city of Cordoba, where the process was developed. Goat fat was used to make soap.

On the Pacific coast of the department of Lambayeque there are two small islands: Lobos de Afuera, and Lobos de Tierra; there was a dispute with the department of Piura over the ownership of the latter island.

It is bordered to the north by the Piura Region, to the southeast by the Cajamarca Region, to the south by the La Libertad Region and to the west by the Pacific Ocean .

What is the Geological Profile of Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum?

The Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum is located in the city of Lambayeque.

Lambayeque is a coastal city in northern Peru and capital of the district and province of the same name in the department of Lambayeque. It is located 4.7 km from the city of Chiclayo and 13 km from the Pacific Ocean. It is an important cultural and educational center of the department, as it houses some of the most important museums in the country, such as the Royal Tombs Museum and the Brüning Museum. 

The city is part of the department of Lambayeque. 

This is a department and region in northwestern Peru known for its rich Moche and Chimú historical past. The region’s name comes from the ancient pre-Inca civilization of Lambayeque. It is the second smallest department in Peru after Tumbes, but also the most densely populated and the eighth most populous.

The current territory of Lambayeque is structured in two geological basement: the Olmos complex, of Precambrian age and the Salas Formation (Ordovician). Both consist of sequences of schists and phyllites intercalated with shales that outcrop towards the northeastern side of the region. These basalts have been covered by Mesozoic siliciclastic formations (Mitu Group, Oyotún Formation, Goyllarizquizga Group) and andesitic volcanic melts of the Calipuy Group of Eocenomiocene age. Intrusive rocks and subvolcanic bodies of andesites and dacites are found cutting all the described sequence. During the Quaternary, four marine transgressions took place, caused by the movement of the earth’s crust, which added to deglaciation caused the deposit of fluvioglacial, alluvial, fluvial and eolian materials.

Lambayeque is mainly exposed to the eventual generation of flows, erosion, landslides, floods and landslides. 

Floods, flows and fluvial erosion in the region are closely related to the occurrence of extraordinary rainfall events such as the El Niño phenomenon. 

On the other hand, the generation of mass movements (landslides, huaycos, landslides, and rockfalls) is associated with the poor quality of volcanic rocks and the occurrence of rainfall and infiltration and occurs mostly in the inter-Andean zones of the region. In the coastal zone, the occurrence of this type of process is related to anthropic causes such as poor irrigation practices (flood irrigation, unlined irrigation canals), deforestation, road cuts, and the accumulation of deforested material.

Tombs-of-Sipan-museum-Trip

What are the Hiking Routes near in Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum?

The best hiking trails near the Royal Tombs of Sipan are the following:

Chiclayo – Pimentel (28.2 kms).

It is a 28.2-km round-trip route near Chiclayo, Lambayeque. It is generally considered a moderate route, which takes an average of 6 h 25 min to ride. This route is excellent for road cycling. The route is open all year round and is perfect to visit at any time.

Pimentel is the small coastal town on the edge of the Pacific Ocean located not far from the city of Chiclayo. It is known for its famous wooden pontoon that advances towards the sea, a historical construction.

This bicycle route starts at the Plaza de Armas of Chiclayo in the historic center and proposes to reach the Pimentel waterfront. It is a round trip that will take you from the city to the sea and vice versa.

Chiclayo – Pimentel – Lambayeque, Peru | AllTrails

Cruz de Motupe (8.7 kms).

8.7 km route near Motupe, Lambayeque. It is generally considered a moderate route, which takes an average of 2 h 31 min to cover. It is open all year round and is perfect to visit at any time.

The story goes that between 1860 and 1865, Fray Juan Agustín de Abad, a priest of the Franciscan order and expert in the art of cabinetmaking, built three crosses, one of which was lost. Before dying, the religious exhorted the population to look for and find this symbol of the Christian faith, to whom he entrusted the blessing of the inhabitants of Motupe.

Cruz de Motupe – Lambayeque, Peru | AllTrails

Chiclayo – Puerto Eten (37.2 kms).

37.2-km round-trip route near Chiclayo, Lambayeque. Generally considered a moderate route, it takes an average of 8 h 28 min to ride. This route is excellent for road cycling. It is open all year round and is perfect to visit at any time.

Puerto Eten is a small port on the edge of the Pacific Ocean located not far from the city of Chiclayo. The place is known for its famous wooden pontoon that juts out into the sea, a historic construction, as well as for its promenades overlooking the sea.

This bicycle route starts at the Plaza de Armas of Chiclayo in the historic center and proposes to reach the waterfront of Puerto Eten. It is a round trip that will take you from the city to the sea and vice versa.

Chiclayo – Puerto Etén – Lambayeque, Peru | AllTrails

Old Eten Lighthouse (7.7 kms).

7.7-km round-trip route near Puerto Eten District, Lambayeque. It is generally considered a moderate route, which takes an average of 2 h 1 min to traverse. It is excellent for hiking and running. The route is open all year round and is perfect to visit at any time.

Puerto Etén is a small town in the department of Chiclayo in northern Peru. This route starts from the main square of the town and takes the direction of the pier before heading to the old lighthouse located further south of town.

Ideal for jogging or walking with a view of the open sea.

Old Lighthouse of Puerto Etén – Lambayeque, Peru | AllTrails

Cross of Chalpón (3.4 kms).

3.4-km round-trip route near Motupe, Lambayeque. It is considered a moderate route, which takes an average of 1 h 41 min to cover. This route is excellent for hiking and running. It is perfect to visit at any time.

The story goes that between 1860 and 1865, Fray Juan Agustín de Abad built three crosses, one of which was lost. Before dying, the religious exhorted the population to look for and find this symbol of the Christian faith, to whom he entrusted the blessing of the inhabitants of Motupe.

After intense research, the cross was found in a cave in the hill known as Chalpón, on August 5, 1868, by the young José Mercedes Anteparra Peralta.

This route proposes you to discover this place of pilgrimage.

Cruz de Chalpón – Lambayeque, Peru | AllTrails

Tucume Pyramids (9.8 kms).

9.8-km circular route near Tucume, Lambayeque. It is considered a moderate route, which takes 2 h 7 min to cover. The route is open all year round and is perfect to visit at any time.

Tucume is an archaeological site located 33 km north of the city of Chiclayo. It consists of the remains of numerous adobe pyramids or huacas, around a rocky structure known as Cerro La Raya. It was one of the administrative and ceremonial centers of the Sicán or Lambayeque culture, and dates back to the 11th century AD. 

This route starts in the town of Tucume and goes around the huge pyramid of Tucume.

Pyramydas de Tucume – Lambayeque, Peru | AllTrails

Chiclayo – San José – Pimentel (38.0 kms). 

38.0-km circular route near Chiclayo, Lambayeque. It is considered a moderate route, which takes an average of 8 h 39 min to cover. It is excellent for road cycling. The route is open all year round.

This bike tour will allow you to discover the beaches of the Chiclayo region by first visiting the small coastal town of San Jose, located in the district of the same name, then you will connect Pimentel by the small coastal road.

Finally, you will return to Chiclayo by the main road to complete this circuit.

Chiclayo – San José – Pimentel – Lambayeque, Peru | AllTrails

When is the best time to hike Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum?

The best time to hike near and in the direction of the Royal Tombs of Sipan Museun is in July. 

Temperatures are pleasant throughout the year, varying between 19 – 20 °C (July) and 32 °C (February). The rainiest months are December, March and February. If you wish to visit the famous beaches of northern Peru (Mancora and Colan among others) we recommend the months of January to March.

Where to stay in Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum?

You have the following options to stay near the Royal Tombs Of Sipan Museun: 

1) Casa Andina Select Chiclayo

3.5 star hotel in Chiclayo with pool and restaurant.

Av. Federico Villarreal 115, Chiclayo, Lambayeque, 14009

70 dollars – Room

Book Casa Andina Select Chiclayo in Chiclayo | Hotels.com

2) Aura Hotel

Hotel of 3 stars. It is located in Cercado Chiclayo, a neighborhood of Chiclayo. 

The Montjoy House and Sipan are places of local interest. 

The natural beauty of the area can be appreciated at Cerro del Panteón and El Cerrillo.

364 7 de Enero Street, Chiclayo, 14001

44 dollars – Room.

Aura Hotel Reviews, Deals & Photos 2023 – Expedia

3) Hotel Zentral.

Three-star hotel located in Cercado Chiclayo, a neighborhood of Chiclayo. 

Museo de las Tumbas Reales de Sipán and Museo Nacional Sicán are cultural attractions, and some of the area’s top points of interest include Casa Montjoy and Museo de las Tumbas Reales de Sipán.

919 Leoncio Prado, Chiclayo, Lambayeque.

41 dollars – Room 

https://www.expedia.com/Chiclayo-Hotels-Zentra-Hotel.h37106687.Hotel-Information

Tombs-of-Sipan-museum-Trip

What are the Tours for Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum?

Among the best tours to visit the Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum we recommend the following:

Excursion to Sipan, Ventarron and Eten with ocean views

This tour offers diverse experiences: the best museum in the north of the country, the oldest pyramid in this part of the world, a corner of the coast of exceptional beauty and the most diverse handicraft market are mixed in a harmonious journey.

It starts at nine o’clock in the morning, and allows for a quieter visit as there are no other groups leaving at the same time.

An important part of this trip is the gastronomic experience, it is possible to have a quality seafood lunch near the sea.

31.17 per adult

2023 Sipán, Ventarrón and Eten excursion with sea view (we start earlier) (tripadvisor.com)

Mochicas & Chimus (Chiclayo & Trujillo)

Peru may be known for its Inca heritage, but the country was also home to many fascinating pre-Inca peoples. Explore its history and cultures on a 3-day guided archaeological tour from Chiclayo to Trujillo. Delve into the ancient worlds of the Sicán, Chimú and Moche civilizations by visiting Huaca Rajada (where the mummy of the Lord of Sipán was excavated in 1987), the Valley of the Pyramids, the ancient Chimú capital of Chan Chan and much more. Choose from a variety of budget accommodations to further enrich this multi-day trip.

$692.00 per adult

Includes entrance fees to the main historical and tourist attractions.

2023 3 Day Empires of the North, Mochicas & Chimus (Chiclayo & Trujillo) (tripadvisor.com)

Chiclayo in a Day: Huaca Rajada, Túcume and Royal Tomb of Sipán Museum with lunch

Learn about two ancient Peruvian cultures and visit different archaeological sites on this private day tour from Chiclayo. Your guided excursion begins at Huaca Rajada, where archaeologists discovered the mummy of the Lord of Sipan of the Moche civilization in 1987. You will also explore Túcume, an 8th century site encompassing dozens of mounds and pyramids once belonging to the Sicán culture, and the Royal Tombs of the Lord of Sipán Museum, which houses Moche artifacts such as jewelry and headdresses.

$169.00 per adult

Chiclayo in a Day: Huaca Rajada, Tucume and Sipan Royal Tomb Museum with lunch (tripadvisor.com)

Private Tour to the Señor de Sipan Royal Tomb Museum

Enjoy a fascinating visit to the Royal Tombs Museum, home to ancient treasures, mummies such as the Lord of Sipan and much more. Depart Chiclayo for Lambayeque to explore this marvelous collection of artifacts belonging to the Moche people of northern Peru. See rarities not excavated until 1987 and learn more about this intriguing civilization that thrived in the region between the 1st and 8th centuries. The museum offers private and group tours.

$59.00 per adult

Important detail: in all tours the price will vary according to the size of the group.

Private Tour Lord of Sipan Royal Tomb Museum | Chiclayo, Peru (tripadvisor.com)

Lord of Sipan Tour (3 Days / 2 Nights) Trujillo & Chiclayo

Unique and special service where you are the owner of your tour. Your tour guide will take care of you and take you to the most relevant and unique places.

Your guide specializes in history and archaeology.

600.00 per adult

The Lord of Sipan Tour (3 Days / 2 Nights) trujillo and Chiclayo | Peru (tripadvisor.com)

What are the Closest Destinations to Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum?

Among the most important destinations close to the Royal Tombs of Sipán Museum we can consider the following:

National Archaeological Museum Brüning

It is the first regional museum in Peru, founded in 1921 by Hans Heinrich Brüning. In the exhibition of the Brüning Museum the visitor can make a journey through the main cultures of the northern coast of Peru, from the first agro-pottery civilizations to complex societies such as Cupisnique, Mochica and Lambayeque; This exhibition is accompanied by a fine and valuable collection of gold objects that constitute a true treasure and artistic and technological compendium; as well as the evidence and representations of the tomb of the Priestess of Chornancap, a ruler and priestess of the highest hierarchy of the Lambayeque elite of the XII and XIII century A.D., discovered at the end of the year 2000 A.D. and discovered at the end of the year 2001.C. discovered at the end of 2011 in the Huaca Chotuna-Chornancap.

Address: Address: Av. Huamachuco s/n – Lambayeque.

Monday through Sunday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

E-mail: museonacionalbruning@naylamp.gob.pe

Telephone: (074) 282110

https://www.facebook.com/MuseoBruning

Bruning National Museum (naylamp.gob.pe)

Sicán National Museum

The museum exhibits archaeological objects from scientific excavations, which explain the diverse cultural characteristics of the Sicán society, which developed in the Lambayeque region between 900 – 1100 AD.

Address: Batán Grande Av. block 9, s/n. Road to Pitipo, Ferreñafe

Tuesday through Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

E-mail: museosican@hotmail.com

Telephone: (074) 286469

Sican National Museum | Facebook

Pyramids of Tucume

Less than 40 km from Chiclayo, are the pyramids of Tucume, 26 pyramids that were built since the year 1000.

With an extension of 220 hectares, it is one of the most important archaeological complexes of the northern coast of Peru.

The site museum exhibits the history of the pyramids and the Lambayeque culture through various objects of daily life.

Address: Caserío La Raya Campo, Complejo Arqueológico Tucume, Lambayeque

Tuesday through Sunday, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

E-mail: museotucume@hotmail.com

Telephone: 978 977 578

Museo Túcume | Facebook

Chaparri Ecological Reserve

Chaparri Ecological Reserve is called the first Private Conservation Area (ACP) in Peru. Territory that belongs to the Muchik Santa Catalina de Chongoyape Peasant Community of Chongoyape. A place destined to the care of hundreds of species of immeasurable value, such as the spectacled bear and the white-winged guans.

It is located in Chongoyape, Lambayeque.

Monday through Sunday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

E-mail: jcchaparri@hotmail.com

You are advised to contact the local people in the community to make your visit as pleasant as possible. 

978 519 857 (Mr. Juan Carrasco).

978 836 344 (Mrs. Juana Vásquez).

Chaparri – Ecological Reserve – Chongoyape – Facebook

Mercado Modelo and Mercado de Brujos de Chiclayo.

Chiclayo’s Mercado Modelo is a very large market with everything from toys to pots, pans, clothes, shoes and food, and, of course, the famous Mercado de Brujos. 

There you will find herbs, spices, bones, hair, candles, amulets and all kinds of services and ceremonies (cleansing, healing of the “evil eye”, card or palm reading, etc.).

But there are not only witchcraft products, there are also many natural and traditional medicine products that can alleviate virtually any health ailment.

The Mercado de Brujos is located at the intersection of Juan Cuglievan Street and Arica Avenue in Chiclayo.

How to Get from Lima to Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum?

The quickest way to get from Lima to Museo Tumbas Reales de Sipan is to fly to Chiclayo (costs $75 – $280 ) and takes 1h 43m.

Once in Chiclayo you can go by public transportation or cab to Lambayeque and visit the Museum of the Royal Tombs of Sipan (20 minutes).

Another alternative, much cheaper and easier, is to travel by bus from the city of Lima to Chiclayo (it costs $20 to $33) and takes approximately 11 hours and 9 minutes. We recommend traveling with companies such as Cruz del Sur and Excluciva. 

Of course, you can also travel driving your car or with a private service. The costs, approximate, would be from 117 to 169 dollars and the time of 11 hours 52 minutes. Of course, the prices can increase or decrease according to how you agreed with the driver, tolls on the road, etc. 

How to Get from Arequipa to Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum?

The quickest and most convenient way to get from Arequipa to Museo Tumbas Reales de Sipán is to fly to Chiclayo (costs $75 to $240) and takes approximately 3 hours 50 minutes.

Once in Cajamarca you can go by public transport or cab to Chiclayo and from there visit the Museum of the Royal Tombs of Sipan (20 minutes) in Lambayeque choosing a cab or bus for the final leg of your trip.

Another alternative from Arequipa to the Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum is by plane to Cajamarca (costs $ 55 to $250) and takes 3 hours 50 minutes.

Once in Cajamarca you can go by public transportation (1 hour 50 minutes) to Chiclayo and from there to Lambayeque, also by land, and visit the Museum of the Royal Tombs of Sipan (20 minutes).

You can also go exclusively, by land, to visit the Museum of the Royal Tombs of Sipan. From Arequipa, passing through Lima, to Chiclayo and Lambayeque. Such a trip would take approximately 32 hours and costs would vary from $38 to $127. For a trip of this magnitude and distance we recommend traveling with companies such as Cruz del Sur and Excluciva

Tombs-of-Sipan-museum-Trip

What to know before going Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum?

The Museum of the Royal Tombs of Sipan is an ideal place for history and archaeology enthusiasts.

It is possibly the best museum in Peru and one of the most reputable in South America.

The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 to 17:00. Admission for adults costs 15 soles.

The address of the museum is Av. Juan Pablo Vizcardo y Guzman s/n. in Lambayeque. By car it is 20 minutes from Chiclayo.

You can arrive by cab or public transportation without any problem.

Most of the informative texts and infographics are written in Spanish. However, it is possible to take a guided tour of the Royal Tombs Museum in the language of your choice.

Photography is not allowed.

The museum is wheelchair accessible.

The summer months on the Peruvian coast (January, February and March) are very hot in the north of the country. If you want to do a more extensive tour and, for example, visit the delicious and renowned beaches of northern Peru such as Mancora, Colan and many others, then that is the perfect time for your trip. 

All year round the weather is kind in Lambayeque. In July you will find yourself at 19 degrees if you want to travel at a time with a more temperate temperature.

Do not forget to try the northern food: rice with duck chiclayana style, fish, sweets. The northern part of Peru is one of the tastiest and most abundant places to eat in the country of the Incas.

How is the Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum Itinerary?

The itinerary to the Royal Tombs of Sipan is as follows.

The Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum presents a design inspired by the ancient truncated pyramids of the Mochica culture, which developed in the Lambayeque region between the first and eighth centuries AD.

It is a structure with a roofed area of 3,156.45 square meters and has three floors or levels. The access is through a ramp of 74.21 meters long, just as the ancient Moche temples were accessed. This slope leads to the third floor. The visit is made from top to bottom, reliving the experience of the discoverers of the Lord of Sipan.

From the second floor you can see the exact replica of the burial chamber of the ancient Moche dignitary, called the Lord of Sipan, and thanks to the information on display you can learn about his culture, his technological achievements and his thinking about death, among other aspects of the pre-Inca civilization.

The center of the museum contains the Royal Mochica Hall where the Lord of Sipan is dressed in his warrior’s clothes and gold pectoral, as well as other jewelry of the same metal; the burial chamber of the ancient ruler along with eight skeletons of his companions.

Two other uncovered dignitaries are also exhibited, such as the priest and the old Lord of Sipan, of the same investiture as the Moche governor, all with their respective original vestments.

In this Royal Mochica Hall there are 35 mannequins that represent their political environment, ten of which are articulated figures, so they are in movement during the visits. It is an exact reconstruction of what was all the magnificence of the royal court of the Moche warrior and faithfully represents what was a Mochica retinue. 

The ornaments recovered from the tomb can also be appreciated, such as the gold coxal protector, among other important objects of the trousseau. It includes a message about the looting and the importance of protecting Peru’s cultural heritage.

The more than 600 jewels of the Moche governor are placed in glass cases. For their conservation, the environment is dark and there is only directed light. Among the pieces of the Moche dignitary are gilded copper banners on fabric, gilded copper crown with royal symbols, shell pectorals, gold and turquoise earrings, spondylus, gold rattles, cotton headdresses and feather ornaments. 

Other pieces of gold, copper and sober fabrics are exhibited on one of the floors, as well as gold and turquoise earrings, a complete feline image, a gold pectoral made with snails, gold necklaces with representations of peanuts, several banners, a gold rattle with the figure of a cutthroat and a copper pectoral.

How much does it cost to visit Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum?

The costs to visit the Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum are as follows: 

Adults in general: S/ 10.00

Students of university and non-university higher education: S/ 4.00

Schoolchildren in kindergarten, elementary and high school, and children up to 12 years old: S/ 1.50

Admission is free for the citizens of Huaca Rajada and Sipan.

What is the best vehicle for visiting Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum ?

If you are staying in Chiclayo, the best vehicle to visit the Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum is a colectivo.

The Royal Tombs of Sipan museum is located a few kilometers from Chiclayo, in the city of Lambayeque. If you are staying in Chiclayo a colectivo is the best way to get to Lambayeque and you can get one for about 4 soles. The best place to take it is the building on the corner of San Jose and Jose E Lora y Lora. 

The colectivo will drop you off within sight of the Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum and it is easy to get one back near where you were dropped off.  The trip takes about 20 minutes each way.  Transit and public transportation between the two cities is continuous and constant.  

Of course, if you want to go more comfortably, you can also hire a cab to take you to the museum. All cab drivers in Chiclayo know where the Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum is located.

If you are staying in Lambayeque. This city is small and you can walk from any point of the city to the museum.

How many hours should a person spend in Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum ?

On a private visit to the Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum you can spend three hours to get to know the place well. On a tour to visit the cities of Lambayeque and Chiclayo, your time is reduced by half. 

What is the nearest city to Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum?

The Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum is located in the city of Lambayeque, Peru.

How is the Past of Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum presented to the visitors?

Time, the renowned American magazine, published an article expressing its admiration for the remarkable discovery of the Lord of Sipan and the remarkable work of Dr. Walter Alva. 

Golden Wonder

Treasures from a vanished culture shed light on Peru’s lost past, and will also enrich its future

By Emily Mitchell

…It is not inconceivable that Sipan will someday rival Machu Picchu as a destination for scholars and tourists. From the shadows of the past, Sipan’s Lord will have returned in glory to cast a golden glow over his country.

Golden Wonder – TIME

Who are the scientists who worked on Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum?

The scientists who have worked at the Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum and, in turn, were the ones who discovered the tomb of the Lord of Sipan were archaeologists Walter Alva, Luis Chero Zurita and Susana Meneses de Alva. Their work was a milestone in the history of Peruvian and world archaeology, since it was the first intact tomb of a ruler of ancient Peru, a discovery only compared to the tomb of the Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun.

Tombs-of-Sipan-museum-Trip

How is the Preservation of Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum?

The preservation and conservation work at the Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum is very good.

The staff of the Conservation and Restoration Laboratory of the Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum is dedicated to the preservation of the archaeological heritage recovered in the archaeological complex of Sipan and other archaeological projects developed by the institution. It also provides direct support, internship opportunities and advice to other projects in the region, the country and neighboring countries, and is also open to interdisciplinary projects.

Its technical staff is trained for specialized interventions in conservation and restoration both in the field (preventive conservation) and in the museum facilities, with the aim of stabilizing the active processes of deterioration of cultural property and reversing the aesthetic-formal alterations that affect its presentation.

The interventions contemplate the graphic and documentary recording of the objects in the different stages of the process, the diagnosis of the symptoms of alteration and the execution of scientific analysis. The study of this information allows us to understand the deterioration processes that affect them and to decide on the appropriate treatments for their future preservation, research and exhibition.

Once the interventions are completed, the pieces are conditioned for storage or for installation in the exhibits, taking into account their characteristics and the specific needs of the museum. From this point on, the “passive” conservation work begins, through humidity and temperature controls or protection against contaminating agents that could have an impact on the reactivation of metallic corrosion.

A brief review allows us to recognize the progress of a willing group of workers who in the early years, facing the limitations, with ingenuity and skill managed to recompose totally disintegrated turquoise mosaics, unscrew gold objects with the mastery of the ancient goldsmiths or clean some gilded copper ornaments that today we appreciate in all their splendor.

What are the differences between Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum and Llactapata in the Inca Trail?

The differences between Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum and Llactapata are the following:

Llactapata is the first archaeological site that the tourist appreciates during the 4-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. It is also known as Patallacta

It was an urban center and checkpoint along the route of the Inca roads. Like the other Inca urban centers built on the site, it also served as an agricultural center where products such as potatoes, corn, quinoa and more were grown.

Its name comes from two Quechua words ‘Llacta’ and ‘Pata’ which together mean ‘elevated village’. This is due to its location on top of a group of mountains.

This archaeological site should not be confused with another place of the same name, located west of Machu Picchu. The latter archaeological site can be visited during the famous Salkantay trek of 5 days.

In contrast, The Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum, as its name suggests, is a museum located in the city of Lambayeque. It contains most of the important artifacts (ceremonial vessels, necklaces and jewelry) found in Huaca Rajada by archaeologist Walter Alva in 1987, including the Lord of Sipan and his retinue that were taken there. The space, of contemporary construction, was designed to resemble the ancient Moche tombs.

Is Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum in UNESCO World Heritage Sites?

The Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum is not listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Peru.

https://es.unesco.org/news/presencia-territorial-unesco-peru

Is Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum under danger?

The Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum is not in danger.

The best demonstration of the excellent conservation and preservation results obtained are the marvelous ornaments, emblems and attire exhibited in the “Royal Tombs of Sipan” Museum, which reflect splendor, technological knowledge and profound symbology.

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