Chotuna–Chornancap
Huaca Chotuna–Chornancap
Middle Sicán to Chimú 700–1375 CE·Sicán (Lambayeque) then Chimú·🇵🇪 Lambayeque, Peru
About
About Chotuna–Chornancap
Late Sicán (Lambayeque) and Chimú pyramidal complex (700–1375 CE) northwest of Lambayeque: twin tapia truncated pyramids Huaca Chotuna (adobón 7 m high, base 90×65 m) with Late Mochica friezes underlying and Huaca Chornancap where 2011–12 Alva discovery of Priestess of Chornancap tomb (1150 CE) with 8 retainers, golden diadem and scepter, and Sican mask 230g gold. Legendary Naymlap landing site per Cabello de Balboa. Unesco tentative.
Why it mattersDiscovery of Sicán Priestess of Chornancap redefined female rulership in Lambayeque and Naymlap foundation legend materialization.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Priestess vs priest-king gender fluidity in Sicán
- 02Naymlap legend historic vs constructed charter myth
Theories
- 01Female priestess dual-channel Sicán authority model
- 02Pyramid necropolis as Naymlap origin enshrinement with sea-canoe cosmology
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.700–1375 CE (Sicán 700–1150; Chimú 1150–1375)
- Period
- Middle Sicán to Chimú 700–1375 CE
- Culture
- Sicán (Lambayeque) then Chimú
- Builders
- Sicán then Chimú
- Purpose
- Oracular pyramid city of Naymlap legend and elite necropolis, priestess burial
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c.700–1375 CE (Sicán 700–1150; Chimú 1150–1375)
Initial construction
c. 1488 CE
Rediscovery
On the ground
Structures & features
6.7200° S · 79.9500° W · 15 m · 2 mapped features
Chotuna–Chornancap central feature
featureMain architectural feature
6.7200° S · 79.9500° WChotuna–Chornancap secondary sector
sectorSecondary sector
6.7190° S · 79.9490° W
Gallery