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The Moche Capital of Sipán, Peru

Elite Burials and Ancient Rituals at the Moche Capital

By , About.com Guide

Sipán is one of the Moche capital cities, where in 1987 Peruvian archaeologist Walter Alva discovered 13 elite burials mirroring rituals seen on ceramics and low relief sculptures. New excavations were begun in May 2007 by an international team led by Walter Alva and Luis Chero; they will last throughout 2007. The new excavations are intended to identify additional burials, discover a way to conserve the badly deteriorated pyramids, and prepare a system to allow the safe addition of tourism to the site via a new museum.

Assistance was provided by Antonio Aimi, project leader at the University of Milan, as well as from recent publications about the Moche cited on the following pages. Mistakes are the responsibility of Kris Hirst.

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Moche Archaeology at Sipán (Peru)The Moche Capital City of Sipán Pyramids at Sipán (Peru) Moche Archaeology at SipánPyramids at Sipán (Peru)Fineline Drawing of Moche Sacrifice Ceremony, Staatliches Museum für Völkerkunde, MunichThe Moche Sacrifice CeremonyWall Facade Showing Marching Prisoners, El Brujo (Peru)Mural Representation of the Warrior Narrative at El Brujo
Tomb of Lord of Sipan (Sipan, Peru)Reconstruction of the Tomb of Lord of Sipán (Sipán, Peru)Warrior Priest (Figure A) from Sacrifice CeremonyWarrior Priest (Figure A), Sacrifice CeremonyFigures B and C, Sacrifice CeremonyFigures B and C of the Sacrifice CeremonyStaff of the Sipán Project, 2007Staff of the 2007 Sipán Project
Carob Logs in Place over Elite Burial, Sipán, PeruCarob Logs in Place over Elite Burial, Sipán, PeruDocumentary Film Production at SipánDocumentary Film Production at SipánWorkmen Clean Newly Exposed Elite BurialWorkmen Examine Copper and Gold Artifacts in Elite BurialFigure D, Sacrifice CeremonyFigure D in the Sacrifice Ceremony at Sipán
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