Chan Chan

Chan Chan

Peru · La Libertad

Ancient cityIntermittent excavationUNESCO · 1986
Approximate period850 CE — 1,470 CELate Intermediate Period; Chimú See on the map ↓

In brief

Chan Chan is the capital of the Chimú Kingdom, known for its adobe architecture. Excavations and conservation work are revealing its palaces, production areas, water systems, and burial practices.

What was found?

  • 1Earthen walls with relief decoration

    The walls feature decorations depicting geometric forms, humans, and animals. They show that earthen architecture also served as a surface for symbolic expression.

  • 2Palaces and burial platforms

    Large compounds enclosed by high walls contain residences, temples, storerooms, and burial platforms. They show that administration, storage, and commemoration were organized within the same compound.

  • 3Human remains at Utzh An

    Disarticulated skeletal remains belonging to 11 individuals were found during restoration work. Ornaments found alongside them help researchers investigate these individuals' social status.

  • 4Three pairs of ear ornaments

    Three pairs of ear ornaments associated with the human remains were recovered. According to researchers, these may be connected with individuals holding high administrative positions.

  • 5Beads and Spondylus necklaces

    Beads and two necklaces made with Spondylus shells were recorded in the same group of finds. Researchers associate these ornaments with high social status.

What does it point to?

Chan Chan's separate palace compounds indicate a distinct social hierarchy and planned administration. Storerooms, production areas, and irrigation remains show that this capital organized both craft and agricultural production.

What did it teach us?

  1. Showed that social hierarchy became visible in the Chimú city plan through walls and separate functional areas.
  2. Documented that life in the capital depended on systems of production, storage, and water management.
  3. According to researchers, the Utzh An finds added new evidence for the relationship between high administrative status and personal ornaments.

Images

Chan Chan, 2023 (32)
Draceane · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Latest news / selected archive

In 2024, work on the eastern perimeter wall of the Utzh An complex uncovered the bones of 11 individuals, along with ear ornaments and necklaces.

Record

Culture
Chimú
Team / historical
Chan Chan Archaeological Complex Special Project; Sinthya Cueva for the work at Utzh An
Coordinates
-8.1078°, -79.0747°

Sources

  1. whc.unesco.org
  2. gob.pe
  3. Peru Kültür Bakanlığı, La Libertad — Utzh An buluntuları

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12.000

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