The Lima-based
Parque de Las Leyendas (Park of Legends) inaugurated this week its exhibition titled "Encounter of Two Cultures: Lima and Mochica" which includes an impressive replica of the
Royal Tombs of the Lord of Sipan.
The exhibit features an exact copy of the pieces that were found during the discovery of the funerary chamber of the emblematic Moche Governor, whose original remains are located in Peru's northern Lambayeque region.
The official stressed that the exhibit will explain the discovery process and the recreation of the magnificence with which the most important northern leader was buried along with his retinue.
"Many will wonder why we have the Lord of Sipan at a site museum. It is because evidence has been found, both in Maranga and in the northern area of the country, that there was an interrelation between these cultures that belong to the Early Intermediate Period (0-600 A.D.)," she explained.
This relationship is evidenced by the discovery of ceramic vessels with pottery techniques and iconography typical of Lima Culture at San Jose de Moro Archaeological Site, located in the Moche Valley.
The latest exhibit is located inside the
Ernst W. Middendorf Site Museum. Those interested can visit it without paying an additional price. Each group of visitors will be accompanied by a guide.
About the discovery
On July 20, 1987, archaeologists Walter Alva and Luis Chero Zurita, in addition to anthropologist Susana Meneses, discovered the first intact tomb of a high-ranking ruler dating back to 1,700 years ago —key to organizing the study of Mochica society from the own perspective of reality.
This event was widely reported to the world with great impact by National Geographic, Newsweek, and Geo.
It is currently classified as one of the 10 great discoveries of the 20th century —at the same level as those of Tutankhamun, Pakal's Tomb, and
Machu Picchu.
Being the first scientifically-discovered intact tomb of a ruler of ancient Peru, this finding marked a milestone, as well as radically changed Peruvian and world archaeology.
(END) KGR/MVB
Published: 7/30/2022