If you thought Peru was all about Cusco and Machu Picchu, let us tell you that you were wrong. Our cultural heritage comes from thousands of years ago, overflowing the Peruvian lands from top to bottom.
Trujillo, for example, is one of those destinations that you can’t miss in northern Peru, a city surrounded by imposing archaeological sites and a beautiful natural scenery in the northern coast of Peru.
For that reason, we want to show you there’s so much to know and see in Peru that you surely would think of coming back for a second dose of our astonishing country. El Brujo Archaeological Site is one of the oldest structures of Peru and holds the most precious secrets of these lands.
We have prepared the perfect itinerary so you get to uncover all the mysteries enclosed by this unique travel destination. Dare to travel off the beaten track and explore otherworldly places during your stay! Continue reading and learn everything about this activity.
As we mentioned before, El Brujo is one of the oldest and most significant archeological sites of the northern coast of Peru, where the biggest archeological discovery was found, La Señora de Cao, a woman who might have been a high ranking priestess or even a Moche ruler.
Currently, her remains are found in the site’s museum alongside textiles and some other objects that belonged to the Mochica culture. The complex holds a 5,000-year-old legacy since it was occupied by different societies including nomadic hunter-gatherers, later by the Cupisnique, Moche, Lambayeque, Chimú, Inca, colonial and present-day cultures.
1. Huaca Prieta
It is the oldest monument in the archaeological complex, traced back to 12500 B.C. in the preceramic period.
These are the cultural remains of sedentary farmers who built semi-subterranean stone and mud dwellings, practiced a rudimentary textile art and used pyrography gourds with zoomorphic and anthropomorphic designs, but they did not know how to make pottery or cultivate corn.
2. Huaca Cao Viejo
It is a terraced pyramid built entirely of adobe bricks, traced back to the Moche culture between the III and VI centuries. The Huaca is composed of seven overlapping constructions intended for ceremonial purposes.
Just like in Huaca de la Luna, the site is decorated with engravings of ‘The Headsman’ deity, which is why archeologists believe that the Moche people performed human sacrifices in this place as well.
Here’s the place where the Lady of Cao mummy was found, who was buried with 18 gold, silver, lapis lazuli, quartz and turquoise necklaces, about thirty gold and silver nose jewelry, golden copper tiaras and crowns.
3. Huaca Cortada
Also known as Huaca El Brujo, it was another Moche culture temple built around the same time as Huaca Cao Viejo. It is 103 meters long and has a height of 22 meters.
It’s name would translate to Sliced Huaca in English since it has a deep ditch that divides the site in two, probably caused by the tomb robbers of the area.
4. Museo Cao
The Cao Museum, inaugurated in 2009, is part of the archaeological complex El Brujo. It consists of seven rooms that cover a large part of the Moche history and its cultural legacy.
It has an exhibition hall, an auditorium for projections, a meeting room, a laboratory, and a computer and archaeologists' room. It houses the mummy of the Señora de Cao.
As you already know, Trujillo is located north of Peru, about a 9-hour drive or 1-hour flight from the Gastronomic Capital of Peru, Lima. If you’re looking to explore northern Peru, we have structured the best travel itinerary for you, make sure to check it while you’re here.
To book the El Brujo Archaeological Site Tour, you just need to contact our team. If you wish, we will optimize your time and adventure with a tailored-made travel itinerary for you.
Likewise, we care to provide the best experience to each and every one of our passengers, which is why we count with certified drivers, professional guides, and an all-time monitored car fleet with GPS tracking.
General Information:
- Entrance Fees: Already included in the travel package.
- Included: Transport, English speaking guide.
Would you like to know more about Peru? Here you’ll find all the information you need for your trip. Our local expert team has prepared the most complete informative guides for you!
Also, if you’re eager to know Peru at its fullest, check our travel packages and live an authentic experience with Viagens Machu Picchu.
