In Chan Chan, Peru, archaeologists have uncovered afunerary complex belonging to the Chimú elite thathad beensealed off for over 600 years. The discovery, announced by Peru’s Ministry of Culture, took place within the walled complex of Utzh An, as part of the 2026 research and conservation program for the Chan Chan archaeological site in the La Libertad region.
The excavations, conducted by the Proyecto Especial Complejo Arqueológico Chan Chan, have made it possible to document a burial structure that remained untouched by the looting that has affected the region’s archaeological heritage throughout history. Inside, burial goods associated with high-ranking individuals were found, including pottery featuring elements attributableto Inca influence.
But what do we know about the structure? More than 38 individuals have been documented in the burial complex. Among the burials, one was identified in which the deceased was laid out in an extended position—a practice considered unusual compared to other burials discovered in the area. According to archaeologists, this characteristic could be linked to ritual sacrificial practices or reflect hierarchical differences within the ruling classes of Chimú society.
The discovery was officially presented by Peru’s Minister of Culture, Alberto Beingolea Delgado, during a press conference attended by national and international media. The so-called Tumbas de Élite Chimú are one of the findings presented as part of the progress made in the research and conservation program conducted in 2026 at the Utzh An complex. During the presentation, the results of the archaeological activities and the investigations carried out by the research team were outlined. The press conference was followed by a tour of the archaeological site, which allowed attendees to directly observe the area affected by the excavations. Archaeologist Walter Alva also participated in the tour.
The Chimú Kingdom reached its zenith in the 15th century, shortly before being conquered by the Incas. Chan Chan was its capital and was located in what was then the fertile valley of the Moche or Santa Catalina rivers. The city, developed primarily using adobe architecture, was the largest city of its kind in pre-Columbian America.
Chan Chan’s urban layout reflected a precise political and social structure. The vast city was in fact divided into nine large “citadels” or “palaces,” conceived as autonomous and independent units. Chan Chan was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1986. The site includes the remains of the great Chimú capital and constitutes one of the principal archaeological testimonies to the civilization that developed along the northern coast of present-day Peru prior to the expansion of the Inca Empire.
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| Peru: A pre-Inca burial complex that had been sealed for 600 years was discovered in Chan Chan |
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