Huacas
del Sol y de La Luna archaeological complex | Galery
Beginning
of the Project
The
discovery of polychrome relief paintings in 1990 by restorer Ricardo
Morales Gaseara, led the Social Sciences Faculty of Universidad
Nacional de Trujillo to start working on the Project Huaca de la
Luna in may 1991, with support from the Ford Foundation and the
Trujillo Brewing Society.
The goals of the project are the research, conservation and public
use of the archaeological monument, located in the Huacas de Moche
(Moche Temples) complex, one of the most important prehispanic
sites in northern Perú.
Although
the study of the monumental architecture of the Huaca de la Luna
is very important for the project, it is not the sole purpose,
because several multidisciplinary studies are being undertaken
to learn more about the origin of the State and the Andean urban
development, and also about the Mochica society, one of the most
successful in the region during its time.
From
the beginning, two directors: archaeologist Santiago Uceda
Castillo and restorer Ricardo Morales Gaseara were in charge
of the Huaca de la Luna Project (Trujillo-Perú).
Both experts have programmed long term work - with a multidisciplinary
approach - which includes archaeologists, anthropologists,
historians, conservators, architects, engineers and other
specialists to guarantee the rigor of the scientific research
and the success of the conservation work and public use
of the archaeological monument.
After
13 years of patient work, the Huaca de la Luna Project
has solved many enigmas about the Mochica Cosmovision.
It has also done top quality conservation work, according
to the theory and philosophy of restoration.
The
achieved goals allow Peru and the world the chance to know
a great ancient temple, where visitors find a comfortable and
safe environment in which to enjoy the beauty and authenticity
of the cultural goods preserved there, and travel with their
imagination to the great past of the millenary Mochica people.
