Perou Decouverte
Perou Decouverte
The Mojeque and Pampa de Llamas complex represents an exceptional archaeological jewel in the Casma Valley. This planned city, dating from 1800 to 900 BC, offers fascinating testimony to the beginnings of urbanization in the central Andes.
Composed of two major monuments - the Moxeke pyramid and Huaca A - this site extends over nearly 200 hectares and illustrates remarkably sophisticated urban organization for its time. The perfect alignment of structures along a 41º northeast axis demonstrates advanced knowledge in spatial planning.
This ceremonial and administrative center of the Sechín civilization chronologically precedes the famous site of Chavín de Huántar, positioning Mojeque as a fundamental actor in the development of Andean cultures. The discovery of the polychrome idols of Moxeke and the storage system of Huaca A revolutionized our understanding of ancient Peru.
The Mojeque and Pampa de Llamas archaeological complex represents one of the oldest planned cities in the Andes, dating from 1800 to 900 BC. This major site of the Sechín civilization chronologically precedes the famous Chavín de Huántar, positioning the Casma Valley as a cultural epicenter of ancient Peru.
The complex experienced continuous occupation for nearly 900 years, marking the peak of the Sechín culture in the region. Its abandonment around 900 BC coincides with periods of regional conflicts and the emergence of new cultural centers.
This crucial era, called the Formative or Initial Period, saw the appearance of the first planned cities, the development of ceramics, the expansion of industrial weaving, and the implementation of large-scale irrigation systems in the Andes.
The Mojeque and Pampa de Llamas complex presents an exceptional urban organization for its time, with rigorous planning over nearly 200 hectares. The entire site follows a main axis oriented at 41º northeast, demonstrating advanced knowledge in astronomy and urban planning.
The site is dominated by two monumental pyramidal structures that oppose each other symmetrically:
Height: 32 meters • Dimensions: 160 x 170 meters • Platforms: 6 levels • Function: Ceremonial and religious center
Height: 12 meters • Dimensions: 135 x 120 meters • Function: Administrative center and warehouse
Basic architectural structure characterized by:
The discovery of the polychrome idols of Moxeke by Julio C. Tello in 1937 represents one of the most spectacular archaeological finds in ancient Peru. These nine monumental sculptures, modeled in clay and painted with bright colors, adorned the third platform of the Moxeke pyramid.
Represent standing figures dressed in ample garments decorated with borders and borlas (pompons) at the waist. The hands are finely modeled with remarkable detail of the nails. Idol 4 features two pairs of snakes intertwined on the chest.
Smaller figure characterized by "lacrimones" - strips running from half-open eyes to the cheeks. The open mouth reveals large teeth, evoking a jaguar or feline deity.
Anthropomorphic representation with closed eyes and mouth, suggesting a figure in a meditative or ceremonial state.
The lacrimones constitute a recurring symbolic motif in Andean art, later found at Cerro Sechín, Tiahuanaco, Nazca and Lambayeque. These elements suggest extensive cultural connections and symbolic continuity across Andean civilizations.
Huaca A, also called Huaca de las Llamas, constitutes the economic and administrative pole of the complex. This 12-meter high pyramid (135 x 120 m) housed a sophisticated storage system and administrative offices.
Archaeological analyses revealed the presence of:
Huaca A functioned as the central warehouse for the valley's production, managed by the ruling elite. The discovery of diverse food remains testifies to a mixed economy based on agriculture and coastal fishing.
The organization into four symmetrical parts reflects the Andean conception of the world divided into two equal, opposed and complementary parts, a fundamental cosmological principle.
Walls of corner stones bound with clay mortar, with fine coating of brown sand and silt painted white. Occasional use of conical adobes for upper structures.
The intermediate architecture of Mojeque and Pampa de Llamas represents the middle administrative level of the complex. These 85 aligned structures on either side of the central plaza housed the bureaucracy responsible for managing resources and the daily organization of the city.
Each administrative complex follows the model: central recinto + lateral structures forming a U-shaped configuration, with annex structures at the rear respecting bilateral symmetry.
Simplified version of the main units, including:
These buildings housed the middle-level administrators responsible for:
The high-status dwellings were directly connected to these administrative buildings, suggesting that officials lived in immediate proximity to their workplace.
The Mojeque and Pampa de Llamas complex housed a hierarchical population whose social organization is reflected in the diversity of domestic structures. Archaeology reveals a complex society with clear distinctions between elites and general population.
These dwellings probably housed the administrators and their families, benefiting from privileged status due to their proximity to power and resources.
The inhabitants cultivated a diversity of food plants:
Despite agricultural development, fishing remained fundamental in the diet, testifying to the importance of exchanges with the nearby Pacific coast.
Excavations revealed diversified artisanal production:
The Mojeque and Pampa de Llamas complex represents a cornerstone in understanding the development of Andean civilizations. Its study has fundamentally transformed our vision of pre-Columbian Peru and the emergence of the first complex societies.
The complex influenced the cultural development of the entire Casma region and beyond, with architectural and symbolic elements found in later sites.
The lacrimones and other symbolic motifs discovered at Moxeke reappear in Tiahuanaco, Nazca and Lambayeque cultures, testifying to cultural continuity over several millennia.
Despite significant advances, many mysteries still surround the complex:
The Mojeque and Pampa de Llamas complex remains an exceptional testimony to the genius of the first Andean civilizations. Its preservation and continued study are essential to understanding the deep roots of Peru's rich cultural history.
This article draws on exhaustive research presented on:
Arqueología del Perú - https://arqueologiadelperu.com.ar/moxeque.htm
The work of archaeologists Pozorski, Tello and Fung Pineda has been essential to understanding this exceptional site.
Plan your visit to the Mojeque and Pampa de Llamas complex with this essential information for an optimal experience at this exceptional archaeological site.
All year round: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Free entry - Free access to the archaeological site
As the site does not seem to be served by regular organized tours, the recommended options are:
💡 Good to know: As the site is outdoors and has few tourist amenities, plan to bring your own water and sun protection. Respect the archaeological remains and do not walk on ancient structures.
As with any archaeological site in Peru, it is recommended to: