Day 945
Huaca Rajada
So, finally we rode to the actual site of the Royal Tombs of Sipan. They were part of the Moche dynasty which ruled this area for around 700 years from the beginning of the first century. Though there had been looting at this site, the actual tombs of the Old Lord of Sipan, the Lord of Sipan and 10 other graves were found to be untouched when excavated. The bodies were buried with personal items, golden headdresses, masks, mouth pieces either on or below the bodies. Further items such as pottery and offerings were placed around the bodies. Buried with the Old Lord was the body of a young woman, the Lord had his wife and children with him as well as a priest and guards. The belief was that they would continue to live in the underworld, though how happy the wife and children were to be sacrificed is unknown. The Tombs were housed in a large pyramid, the walls made of adobe and painted in bright colours. The population paid a fee in dues to the rulers and this paid for the construction. Unfortunately the El Nino effect caused two powerful periods of devastating rains which severely damaged the walls of the Tomb and destroyed the areas where people lived. The site was abandoned by the Moche dynasty, but not before they sacrificed a few more souls to protect the Tombs. The museum there houses the remains of the old Lord and several other Tombs. At the actual site itself we were able to enter the pyramid and walk down into the Tomb of the old Lord. Quite an experience!
