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Museum · Lambayeque, Lambayeque
Museo Tumbas Reales de Sipán
The museum shaped like a Moche pyramid that houses the gold and the tomb of the Lord of Sipán, found in 1987 at Huaca Rajada, with more than 2,000 pieces of gold, silver and shells and a reconstruction of the funerary chamber.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Museo Tumbas Reales de Sipán
The Museo Tumbas Reales de Sipán was inaugurated in 2002 in Lambayeque to house the finds from the Huaca Rajada tombs, near the village of Sipán. The building resembles a truncated Moche pyramid, reddish in color, with a long entrance ramp.
The visit follows the archaeologist’s path: you go up the ramp to the third floor and then descend floor by floor, like in an excavation, until you reach the tomb. Along the way appear Moche ceramics, the belongings of attendants and the jewelry. On the second floor, a full-size replica shows the funerary chamber of the Lord of Sipán as it was found.
The highlight is the ruler’s original pieces: crowns, bead pectorals, peanut-shaped gold and silver necklaces, ear ornaments with turquoise mosaics, scepters and the funerary assemblage. The museum houses more than 2,000 gold pieces; it also includes the tombs of the Old Lord of Sipán and of the priest.
The rooms are kept dark to protect the objects, and photography is usually not allowed. The visit is completed with Huaca Rajada, where the tombs were discovered.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 1½ to 2 hours.
Best time
At opening, before the groups. There is one day off during the week: check the opening hours beforehand.
How to get there
It is in Lambayeque, about 12 km from Chiclayo, a 20–30 minute taxi or shared-van ride. From Lambayeque’s center it is a few minutes on foot.
Tip
Hire a guide at the entrance to understand what each piece means. Cameras and bags are usually left in the cloakroom.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Museo Tumbas Reales de Sipán
What is in the Museo Tumbas Reales de Sipán?
The original pieces from the tomb of the Lord of Sipán, including crowns, breastplates, necklaces and ear ornaments of gold, silver and turquoise, plus a replica of the burial chamber.
Can you take photos in the museum?
Generally no: cameras and bags are usually left in the cloakroom/locker. Check at the entrance.
Why is the visit arranged from top to bottom?
To retrace the excavation route: the finds are presented in the order the archaeologists discovered them, culminating in the tomb.
How much time should you set aside?
About 1.5 to 2 hours.