Chan Chan: Unraveling the Mysteries of a Lost Andean City

This article explores the rise and fall of Chan Chan, the capital city of the Chimú civilization in northern Peru. Built in the arid Moche Valley, Chan Chan, through remarkable irrigation engineering, became one of the largest urban centers in the Americas. Its unique architecture reflects a rigid social hierarchy. Recent archaeological discoveries reveal a far more complex social structure than previously understood, encompassing diverse elites and immigrants from various regions, not just artisans. The article also details the extensive child sacrifice rituals practiced by the Chimú, which were highly organized state-level ceremonies, not random events, serving to solidify power and maintain social order. Excavations at Chan Chan and surrounding areas continuously reshape our understanding of the Chimú, revealing a dynamic and complex ancient society.