Heritage sites, Archaeological discoveries, History of Archaeology

Chan Chan

Location

Peruvian

Country

peru

Year of Research

15th century

Culture

Chan Chan is an archaeological site situated in the Peruvian region of La Libertad, five km east of Trujillo.

Chan Chan covers an area of about 20 km², and had a thick urban center of approximately 6km².

Chan Chan was built by the Chimor , a late middle period civilization which grew out of the remnants of the Moche civilization.

The vast mud city of Chan Chan was constructed by the Chimu around AD 850 and lasted until its Inca conquest in AD 1470.

It was the imperial capital of the Chimor until it was conquered in the 15th century. It is guessed that around 30,000 people lived in the city of Chan Chan.

The city ruins are additionally threatened by earthquakes and looters.

Present day visitors to Chan Chan can enter the Tschudi Complex, believed to be one of the later citadels constructed in the city.

There are also various other Chimú and Moche ruins in the area around Trujillo. This site was founded by the Conquistador Francisco Pizzaro.