Lima and on to the North of Peru!

A quick trip through Lima on our way from Cusco to Chiclayo!

We start the Northern Peru ancient ruins tour with the beautiful relief carvings of the Lambayeque culture from around 750-1350 AD. Check out the boats! Thor Hyardhal studied these intensively.

On to the ruins of the Lady of Cao! This was only uncovered in 2006 and they uncovered a woman ruler of the Moche civilization (around 300AD). Up until this time the belief was that only men were rulers but this woman (mummified) was found to be not only a major governmental leader but a high priestess and a military commander!  This pyramid is considered to be very sacred and shamans still come here from all over Peru to perform ceremonies! 

A little time (too little!) at the beach before heading to the ancient ruins of Chan Chan. Here you can see in the background the reed boats that the fisherman still use today! Apparently the Spanish ran into big reed boats with sails and 20 sailors 300 miles North!

OK, here's Chan Chan! A world heritage site and the largest adobe city in the world. It was the political power center of the Chimu culture which was in power from approx 900-1476 AD. Then they were conquered by the Inca. This city was huge. Something like 22 square kilometers!

This is one of the temples of Chan Chan. Fantastic relief work. We haven't even gotten to the Inka yet! These are just the huge civilizations that are PRE-Inka!