Huaca Rajada (Sipan)

6.8011°S, 79.6023°W.

The Huaca Rajada at Sipán in the Lambayeque Valley, Lambayeque Region, Peru — the Moche royal burial complex famous for the 1987 discovery of the intact tomb of the Lord of Sipán. Construction was carried out in successive phases between approximately 50 and 700 CE. The complex consists of three adjacent platform pyramids, each constructed of millions of adobe bricks; the largest has an original base of 200 by 100 metres and an original height of 37 metres. In February 1987 the local Moche-descended community at Sipán discovered the tomb of a Moche ruler containing the most spectacular pre-Columbian royal burial ever recovered intact: gold and silver pectorals, copper-and-turquoise ear ornaments, a feline-effigy back-flap weighing 1.2 kilograms in solid gold, ceremonial knives, and the remains of the ruler and his sacrificed retinue. Excavated by Walter Alva for the Brüning National Archaeological Museum.

The burial complex that produced the most complete pre-Columbian royal interment ever scientifically recovered — three years before the Egyptian tomb of king Sennefer at Luxor was opened.