Chotuna-Chornancap

The Chotuna Chornancap Archaeological Complex is situated in San Jose district, in the Lambayeque Region, 12 km (7.5 miles) to the north-west of the city of Chiclayo, in Peru. It consists of the ruins of flat-topped pyramids and compounds, with two pyramids - or huacas - prominent: Chotuna and Chornancap.

It is thought to be a ceremonial centre of the Sican (also known as Lambayeque) culture, of Ancient Peru. which developed between 700 and 1300 AD. Later, it was occupied by Chimu and Inca peoples.

Archaeological research at the complex has revealed strong evidence of ritualised human sacrifice, of both children and adults.^[1]

Investigations

Huaca Chotuna was investigated in the 1910s and 1920s by Hans Heinrich Bruning, who identified it as Chot, the place mentioned by the Chronicler Miguel Cabello de Balboa as where the Yampallec idol was kept, in accordance with the legend of Naylamp.

Although Bruning later changed his opinion, popular belief still associates Huaca Chotuna with the mythical Chot, and supposes that Naylamp and his descendents are to be found in its depths.

Later, in 1972, Chotuna and its neighbour Chornancap were visited by Hermann Trimborn and Jorge Rondon Salas, with the former leaving historical and descriptive commentaries about both monuments.

Between 1980 and 1982, Christopher B. Donnan carried out investigations at the site and produced the first maps of the area. He also discovered the wall painting at Chornancap.

In 2011, under the auspices of Peruvian archaeologist and director of the nearby Bruning Museum, Carlos Wester La Torre, the tomb of a young priestess was discovered, along with gold, silver and copper ornaments. The Sacerdotisa de Chornancap, as she has come to be known, was buried along with eight women aged between 15 and 20 by her side which, along with the fine quality of the textiles and jewellery in her funerary bundle, point to her importance in the Sican hierarchy.

The same team came upon the grave of what they surmised to be a high-class executioner. The male skeleton - aged between 20 and 30 years old - had ancient ceremonial knives at his side, pointing to his profession; while the quantity and kind and quantity of artifacts buried with him suggests he was a member of the Sican elite.^[2]

Then in 2016, during further excavation work undertaken by the Ministry of Culture (Peru), a group of more than 13 graves was unearthed, dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries - the era of the Chimu and Inca cultures^[3]

Of particular interest were the remains of six children, placed in pairs of shallow graves, located on the north, east and west ends of the ruins. Of these children, two were found with their feet missing, leading archaeologists to speculate that they may have been sacrificed as an offering, then had their feet amputated and used as ceremonial guardians of the other tombs.

The remains of the other individuals – men and women – were buried face-up, in narrow, long graves. Deliberate distortions to some of the bodies indicate ritualistic activities, and human sacrifice in some cases.

The most prominent person was buried at the centre of the funeral group, in a tomb containing offerings, such as two clay pots, and a sculpted vessel in a shape suggesting the head of a man chewing coca leaves.

Overall, more than 50 sacrifice victims have so far been found at Chotuna-Chornancap, spanning hundreds of years and at least three civilizations.

Description

Chotuna-Chornancap covers an area of approximately 20 hectares, made up of a series of tiered pyramids (huacas), palaces and walled compounds.^[4] Several of the buildings are in total ruins. It is worth noting that the relief murals here are similar to those of Huaca del Dragon, in the Moche Valley, Trujillo, Peru.

According to archeologists, Chotuna went through three periods, beginning in 700 AD, through Chimu occupation, and up to the Inca conquest.

Chornancap is situated one kilometer (0.6 miles) west of Chotuna. It is a truncated pyramid, with a base in the form of a T and a central ramp going to the top. It is partially decorated with murals of figures evoking the activities of the era, with typical Sican iconography.

References

External links

Coordinates: 6°43′13″S 79°57′10″W / 6.7202°S 79.9529°W / -6.7202; -79.9529