Huaca del Dragón — Arco Iris Pyramid
Huaca Arco Iris · Huaca del Dragón · Huaca del Arco Iris
Late Intermediate, Chimú (1100–1470 CE)·Chimú·🇵🇪 La Libertad Region, Trujillo Province, La Esperanza District, Peru
About
About Huaca del Dragón — Arco Iris Pyramid
North Trujillo square adobe pyramid enclosed by high double wall with 14 intact 2 m rainbow serpent (dragon) reliefs alternating with Chimú processional figures along outer wall. Inner truncated pyramid sacred core accessed by ramp with serpent balustrade. 14 subterranean wells (puquios) inside outer enclosure provided water for ritual purification and storage, illustrating Chimú coastal hydraulic adaptation. Named Arco Iris after rainbow motifs misread as dragon. Adjacent to Huaca Esmeralda–Chan Chan axis, founded early Chimú before Chan Chan bloom.
Why it mattersOnly Chimú pyramid with intact processional dragon frieze and well system.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Well system source — aquife or puquio?
Theories
- 01Dragon is double-headed rainbow serpent controlling El Niño rains
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. 1100–1350 CE
- Period
- Late Intermediate, Chimú (1100–1470 CE)
- Culture
- Chimú
- Purpose
- Chimú rain-deity pyramid — double-walled adobe pyramid with dragon (rainbow serpent) reliefs and hydraulic wells
- Excavation
- Excavated
1963
M. H. Lumbreras restores Dragon walls
1992
Shower wells cleared and bridged for visitors
On the ground
Structures & features
8.0439° S · 79.0572° W · 40 m · 2 mapped features
Double dragon frieze wall east
friezeRainbow serpent frieze double wall with processional figures
8.0439° S · 79.0571° WInner pyramid ramp with serpent balusters
pyramidCentral adobe pyramid ramp flanked by serpent reliefs leading to summit court
8.0440° S · 79.0573° W
Gallery