More tombs at the La Pava de Mochumí site

Five more tombs have been discovered at the La Pava de Mochumí where recently the 800 year old tomb of a shaman was found, just outside Chiclayo, the archaeology meca of Peru.

March 4, 2010 | Archaeology, News

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Chiclayo: Twenty-four hours of rain

Tom Filipowicz in Chiclayo shows us the impact recent heavy rains have had on the normally dry northern desert city.

February 12, 2010 | Lambayeque & Chiclayo Guide, Opinion

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Without Machu Picchu you’ll enjoy the trip of a lifetime

SPECIAL: PERU WITHOUT MACHU PICCHU – Machu Picchu is closed. It will stay that way through all of February at the very least. Do you have your flights booked and are wondering what to do next? Should you cancel or put off your trip to Cuzco?

February 4, 2010 | Travel and Places

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New Year Traditions: Die!…Muñeco…Die!

Tom Filipowicz in Chiclayo recounts the tradition of burning mannequins as part of New Year celebrations in Peru, as well as other customs.

January 31, 2010 | Culture & History

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800 year old tomb of shaman discovered

Curandero – witch-doctor or medicine-man in English, but the most direct translation is healer. The tradition of the curanderos still runs strong in the Muchik northern coast of La Libertad and Lambayeque, particularly around Chiclayo. The traditions and techniques of theses healers date back to pre-Colombian times and the the civilisations of the Chimú, Sicán and the Moche before them. Archaeologists have recently been given a glimpse into this period of time with the discovery of the 800 year old tomb of a Sicán curandero.

January 23, 2010 | Archaeology, News

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Chiclayo: The Preservation of Tradition

In November, Tom Filipowicz visited the event held for the Mochica Identity Week and discusses what he feels is a strong local connection and respect for traditions and customs. Participating were school groups, each choosing and important local custom to present to visitors.

January 13, 2010 | Culture & History, Lambayeque & Chiclayo Guide

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Tourism and the Town of Pimentel

Here in the north tourist towns are not numerous. To the south of Chiclayo is Huanchaco beach near Trujillo, a distance of 250 miles. North of Chiclayo is Máncora and Punta Sal, a distance of some 200 miles. In our immediate area we’re limited to Pimentel.

December 11, 2009 | Lambayeque & Chiclayo Guide

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The missing link in Lambayeque

Researchers scouring the Lambayeque region for decades in an attempt to discover more about its most ancient past have directed their attention towards the archaeological site of El Chorro, located in the district of Pomalca.

Their efforts were successful.

November 25, 2009 | Archaeology

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Youngest Moche noble yet at Sipán site

Two thousand years ago, a young man was buried in the royal mausoleum next to a huge and brightly decorated Moche pyramid, now known as the Huaca Rajada, at the site of Sipán. Studies have been conducted on this recent discovery that have determined his age at time of death to be just 21, making him the youngest Moche noble yet found.

October 27, 2009 | Archaeology, Lambayeque & Chiclayo Guide, News

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Twelve Cañaris tombs discovered in Lambayeque

Félix López Reyes has spent a large part of his life guarding the 35 hectares that he owns half way up El Gallo in the mountainous border region between Lambayeque and Piura, 2500 metres above sea level and 8 hours walk from El Sauce in the district of Cañaris in the province of Ferreñafe. However, it wasn’t until very recently that he realised that on his property was something more valuable to guard than his coffee beans and cows. Here a discovery has been made that may help us learn more about the Cañaris people.

October 23, 2009 | Archaeology, News

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Lord of Ucupe: “King of Bling” Tomb Sheds Light on Ancient Peru [Featured]

I wrote some time ago about the stunning archaeological find at a dig led by Canadian Steve Bourget of the University of Texas. Here is the follow-up by National Geographic News:

April 10, 2009 | Archaeology, News

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Wari city unveiled in Cerro Pátapo – missing link discovered

In less than two weeks since work began, amazing discoveries have been made at the Cerro Pátapo archaeological site, until now little more than a pile of rocks. This huge site that stretches over 5km is now revealing its importance – it is a missing link between the declining Moche culture and the newly arrived Wari.

December 14, 2008 | Archaeology, Lambayeque & Chiclayo Guide, News

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