Tucume Huaca Larga Pyramid
Huaca Larga de Túcume · Túcume Huaca Larga · Gran Huaca Larga · Túcume Piramide Larga
Late Intermediate (Sicán/Lambayeque 1100–1375 CE, Chimú 1375–1470 CE, Inca 1470–1532 CE)·Lambayeque (Sicán) / Chimú / Inca (La Leche Valley)·🇵🇪 Lambayeque Region, La Leche Valley, Túcume plain 1 km east Túcume town, base of Cerro La Raya, Peru
About
About Tucume Huaca Larga Pyramid
Largest adobe pyramid of Lambayeque–Chimú complex at Túcume (26 huacas, 220 ha): Huaca Larga 700 m long, 280 m wide, 30 m high truncated adobe mass with two joined platforms (Larga and central mound) forming L, with ramps and plazas. Sicán (Lambayeque) 800–1375 CE foundation, reused Chimú and Inca with Inca temple on summit (Temple of Sacred Stone). Thor Heyerdahl–Narváez 1980s–90s project. Associated Huaca Las Balsas with reed boat mural. Largest adobe pyramid area in Americas.
Why it mattersLargest adobe pyramid in Americas by area (700 m long); Thor Heyerdahl showcase of Túcume as Lambayeque capital after 1100 CE Batán Grande flood; Inca Sacred Stone continuity.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Why L-shape two-platform design vs single mound
- 02Batán Grande to Túcume capital migration after El Niño flood 1100 CE
Theories
- 01Huaca Larga as Chimú administrative pyramid replicating Chan Chan ciudadela concept on adobe massif
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 CE Sicán Huaca Larga founded; L-shape expanded c.1300 CE Chimú
- Period
- Late Intermediate (Sicán/Lambayeque 1100–1375 CE, Chimú 1375–1470 CE, Inca 1470–1532 CE)
- Culture
- Lambayeque (Sicán) / Chimú / Inca (La Leche Valley)
- Purpose
- Gigantic L-shaped truncated adobe pyramid — Sicán capital after Batán Grande collapse, later Chimú-Inca ceremonial focus
- Excavation
- Excavated
c.1100 CE Sicán Huaca Larga founded; L-shape expanded c.1300 CE Chimú
Initial construction / foundation
c. 850 CE
Major use phase and refurbishment
20th century
Modern archaeological survey and excavation
On the ground
Structures & features
6.5200° S · 79.8430° W · 22 m · 3 mapped features
Huaca Larga main mass
pyramid700×280 m L-shaped truncated adobe pyramid 30 m
6.5200° S · 79.8430° WCentral mound junction
platformSecond platform joining L at central mound 20 m
6.5195° S · 79.8425° WInca summit temple
templeInca stone temple with Sacred Stone on top
6.5202° S · 79.8433° W