He was a very important Mochican
warrior priest, which remains were founded in Huaca Rajada by Dr. Walter Alva
in 1987.
In his tomb were discovered a great quantity of gold and silver objects,
jewels, ceramics and carved wood of incredible value. This investigation had
given archaeologists the chance to know many more aspects of the Mochican
Culture.
In the main tomb was found a guard, skeleton of a young man with a golden
shield and sectioned feet.
"El Señor de Sipán" (The Lord of Sipan), was founded
in a sarcophagus made of wood (this is the first event founded in
America), next to his head were the skeleton of two young women, and at his
sides a skeleton of a dog and two lamas.
He was all covered with gold, silver and copper, chest protector with jewels
and gold necklaces. His skull rested on a big golden plate.
Very close to this tomb, in 1989, some investigators of the Brüning
Museum discovered the tombs of "El Sacerdote" (The Priest), and the
tomb of "El Viejo Señor de Sipán" (The Old Lord of Sipan).
The tomb of the "Viejo Señor de Sipán" (Old
Lord of Sipan) is chronologically older, and with difference among the others,
was found a sarcophagus without company and wrapped in vegetal fiber. It had
signs of royal importance, dressed with gold scepter, fine gold and silver
jewels, chest protectors made with pearl shells, peculiar and unique
pictures.
All the original pieces were restored in Germany at the Mainz Museum
(1988-1993) and are actually shown at the Brüning Museum of Lambayeque.
Besides, all the copies from the originals are used as demonstration in Huaca
Rajada.
This fabulous and extraordinary collection had been exhibited in the
principal museums of the world and in the capital of Peru, Lima. The
investigators that found these tombs are in continuous discoveries.
According to information published in "El Comercio" (newspaper from
Lima), on July 15th., 1998, Dr. Walter Alva received the "Coxal
Protector" of "Señor de Sipán" from Federal Bureau of
Investigations (FBI) and also from the District Attorney of Philadelphia
(U.S.A.). This piece of gold was stolen by tomb profaners and illegally taken to
the United States. It was seized to an international group of archaeological
pieces traffickers. Its value at the international market surpassed 1.5 million
dollars.
This "Coxal Protector" was exhibited at the "Archaeology and
Anthropology Museum" of Philadelphia University, as sign of gratitude of
Peru, and then transferred to Brüning Museum to be integrated to the
collection of "Señor de Sipán".