Túcume Purgatorio pyramids
Batan Grande’s imposing pyramids were abandoned towards the eleventh century AD, possible due to catastrophic flooding dur-ing a massive El Niño weather phenomenon. This event was paralleled by the flourish-ing of Tucume, one of the most spectacular monument compounds on the northern Coast.The large terraced constructions found at Tucume, that probably became the regional capital, spread like spikes around the mountain hub. Some served residential and administrative func-tions while others were clearly dedicated to religious ceremonies. With a longer history than Batan Grande’s, Tucume kept its importance until the times of the Conquest. On top of the old pyramids, the Inca rulers added new construc-tions blending Inca and Lambayeque characteristics. At least one high Inca dignitary was buried at Tucume bearing the mascaypacha headband that was a symbol of his rank. The beauty and monumental aspect of Tucume resembles the grandiose capitals of Mesopotamia, a fact remarked recently by Thor Heyerdahl, the legendary researcher of possible pre historic maritime routes. Heyerdahl’s efforts led to several excavation projects the result of which may be seen at the beautiful site museum inspired in the architectural style of the first Colonial churches built under a rustic roof of carob tree trunks.
The Chotuna – Chornamkap pyramid
Thor Heyerdahl’s curiosity was sparked, among other reasons, by a myth narrating the arrival of Naylamp, a founder of the Lambayeque royal lineage.According to legend, the civilizing hero arrived accompanied by eight courtesans, one of them was in charge of throwing crushed tropical shell-fish (Spondylus sp.) on the road on the Naylamp’s feet. Naylamp most probably traveled on a raft like the Kon Tiki vessel Heyerdahl used in his famous Pacific mentioned in the myth may be identified as Chotun, an imposing pyramid near the Spanish colonial city of Lambayeque. It is said that Chotuna was one of the capital cities of Naylamp’s royal house because the figurative high relief representations found there are in some cases almost exact replicas of the decorations at Huaca Dragon in Trujillo’s Moche valley.Archeologists tend to think that the most popular icon of Lambayeque art –the so-called Lord of Sipan actually represents Naymlap, a winged character of slanted eyes and aquiline nose who arrived from the other side of the ocean. Naymlap appears profusely in ceramics, textiles, and even frescoes on many walls. Sometimes it is possible to identify an obviously supernatural being portrayed with the attributes of a high rank marine deity accompanied by the Sun and the Moon. In other circumstances, he appears only as a masked human being wearing the divine headpiece. Indeed, Lambayeque rulers were buried wearing the sacred being’s mask over their faces, and with the corresponding attire. We can assume that the rich Lambayeque imagery may actually be an account of episodes from the dynastic myth about the supernatural origin of royal power.
