El Brujo
El Brujo Archaeological Complex · Huaca Cao Viejo — Lady of Cao · Cao
Early Intermediate–Middle Horizon·Moche (North Coast)·🇵🇪 La Libertad, Ascope (Magdalena de Cao District), Peru
About
About El Brujo
Elite Moche pyramid necropolis complex (c.100 BCE–750 CE) on Chicama River north bank comprising 3 mounds: Huaca Cao Viejo 30-m-high 120×100 m polychrome step pyramid with 600 m supernatural narrative mural (Octopus-fronted deity, captives) and Lady of Cao tattooed Moche priestess-queen burial (450 CE) with gold diadem; Huaca Prieta 6,000-year Preceramic cotton temple mound (Cotton Preceramic 3000 BCE) beneath; Huaca Cortada. Excavated by Regulo Franco, César Gálvez (Fundación Wiese) 1990–; Wari overlay.
Why it mattersLady of Cao rewrites Moche gender rulership (female Mochica regent); Huaca Cao mural preserves finest Moche polychrome narrative art.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Lady of Cao facial tattoos power symbolism — shamanic or royal mark
Theories
- 01El Brujo as independent Moche Chicama queendom versus southern Moche capital Huaca de la Luna
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.100 BCE–750 CE (Moche zenith 250–600 CE)
- Period
- Early Intermediate–Middle Horizon
- Culture
- Moche (North Coast)
- Builders
- Moche (Chicama polity)
- Purpose
- Moche pyramid necropolis, muraled deity temple and female regent burial complex
- Abandoned
- c.750 CE (Moche collapse)
- Rediscovered
- Huaca Cao Viejo mural 1990; Lady of Cao 2005
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
On the ground
Structures & features
7.9170° S · 79.3060° W · 28 m · 2 mapped features
Huaca Cao Viejo polychrome pyramid
pyramid30 m high 120×100 m adobe step pyramid with full-façade mural octopus-deity narrative
7.9165° S · 79.3060° WLady of Cao tomb chamber
structureSealed chamber on platform summit with tattooed Moche priestess-queen burial 450 CE with regalia
7.9175° S · 79.3055° W
Gallery