Huaca Esmeralda — Chimu Adobe Pyramid
Huaca La Esmeralda · Huaca Esmeralda
Late Intermediate, Chimú (900–1470 CE)·Chimú·🇵🇪 La Libertad Region, Trujillo Province, Trujillo District, Mansiche, Peru
About
About Huaca Esmeralda — Chimu Adobe Pyramid
Adjoining Chan Chan’s outskirts three blocks from Mansiche temple in urbanization La Esmeralda, this Chimú adobe pyramid is a U-shaped two-level mass with three terraces, ramps and courtyard decorated with diamond (rombo) and anthropomorphic-fisherman reliefs in six panels. Built for Chimú nobility and acllacona convent, its walls exhibit successive enlargements. Post-Chimú Inca occupation trace. Part of Trujillo adobe peerage with Huaca Arco Iris and Huaca del Sol/Luna, protected as cultural heritage of Peru.
Why it mattersBest preserved Chimú pyramid frieze series; female elite household model.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Acolyte burial contexts under terraces
Theories
- 01Esmeralda was Chimú royal secondary wife quarters before Inca relocation
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. 1100–1400 CE
- Period
- Late Intermediate, Chimú (900–1470 CE)
- Culture
- Chimú
- Purpose
- Chimú aristocratic palace-convent adobe pyramid with rhomboid friezes — elite administrative and convent for chosen women near Chan Chan
- Excavation
- Excavated
1923
Max Uhle maps Trujillo huacas
1995
Gran Chimú restoration consolidates friezes
On the ground
Structures & features
8.1046° S · 79.0474° W · 30 m · 2 mapped features
Upper terrace frieze panels
friezeDiamond-pattern and fisher-frieze adobe panels on upper platform
8.1046° S · 79.0474° WRamp and courtyard entry
courtyardSloped ramp leading to walled courtyard with plaster floor
8.1047° S · 79.0475° W
Gallery