By Tony Dunnell
Peru Travel Expert, about.com
The Museo Tumbas Reales de Sipán is the best museum north of Lima and
one of the finest in all Peru. Even if you’ve already seen enough
museums to last a lifetime, the impressive architecture, the collection,
and the overall presentation of Tumbas Reales will leave you certain
that you’ve visited a truly world-class museum.
The Permanent Exhibition[post_ads_2]
The
Museo Tumbas Reales de Sipán (Royal Tombs of Sipán Museum) was opened
in November 2002 to house and display artifacts discovered during the
excavation of the Huaca Rajada (Sipán) archaeological site.
The
site, found in 1987 by Peruvian archaeologists Walter Alva Alva and Luis
Chero Zurita, became an international sensation thanks to the riches
discovered in the tomb of El Señor de Sipán, a Moche lord buried in
lavish fashion. A total of 14 tombs have been found during the ongoing
excavation, with most of the important artifacts going to the Museo
Tumbas Reales (with some others staying at the on-site Museo de Sitio de
Huaca Rajada-Sipán).
The museum currently holds more than 5,000 artifacts, including
thousands of ceramic and metal pieces (including gold), as well as human
and animal remains.
Key exhibits include the tomb of El Señor de
Sipán, as well as the tombs of the Sacerdote (Priest) and the Viejo
Señor de Sipán (Old Lord of Sipán) -- all recreated using the original
artifacts from the Huaca Rajada site.
The Tumbas Reales Museum Building[post_ads_2]
The
Museo Tumbas Reales de Sipán is instantly recognizable thanks to its
impressive design, a form inspired by the truncated pyramids built by
the Moche civilization. The red color of the building’s exterior, as
well as the touches of yellow ochre, also reflects the typical
coloration of Moche facades.
Visitors enter the museum through the
third and highest floor, accessed by a large ramp that mirrors the
ritual ramps often found at Moche archaeological sites. They then make
their way through the museum -- guided or independently -- down through
the second floor and finally the ground floor.
A guided tour is
three times the prices of a standard adult ticket. A guide might not be
necessary if you already have a working knowledge of the Moche culture
and the civilizations of northern Peru. If not, you’ll certainly get a
lot more out of the museum if you go with one of the highly
knowledgeable guides.
Tumbas Reales de Sipán Location and Other Information[post_ads_2]
The
Museo Tumbas Reales de Sipán is located in the city of Lambayeque in
the Lambayeque Region of northern Peru. Most tourists stay in Chiclayo,
which is only a few miles from Lambayeque, and visit Lambayeque as a
daytrip. It’s easy to get between the two neighboring cities by local
bus or taxi.
If you’re a big museum fan, it’s also worth visiting the Brüning Museum while you’re in Lambayeque. The Brüning Museum is one of four major museums located in the Lambayeque Region of Peru,
and it’s just a few blocks from the Museo Tumbas Reales (you can also
take photos in the Brüning Museum, something that’s prohibited in Tumbas
Reales).
Museo Tumbas Reales de Sípan Visitor Information:
- Address: Av. Juan Pablo Vizcardo y Guzmán 895, Lambayeque
- Website: www.museotumbasrealessipan.pe
- Email: tumbasdesipan@hotmail.com / tumbasdesipan@gmail.com
- Phone: (051) 074-283977 / 074-283978
- Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Entrance: adults S/.10; guided S/.30
- Time required: two to four hours
