Huaca del Sol, Archaeological complex in Moche District, Peru.
Huaca del Sol is an archaeological site near Moche outside Trujillo, Peru, with two large adobe pyramids separated by open ground. The larger one measures 340 by 160 meters (1115 by 525 feet) at the base and is only partly preserved, while the smaller one is more accessible.
The pyramids were built between the first and eighth centuries by the Moche culture, which used over 140 million adobe bricks, many of them marked by building teams. Spanish colonists redirected the Moche River in the 17th century to recover gold objects, which heavily damaged the larger pyramid.
Only one of the two large temples is open to visitors, where archaeologists uncovered painted walls showing gods and warriors from Moche times. These images show scenes from religious life and appear in strong reds and ochre tones, still clearly visible today.
The complex sits about 10 kilometers (6 miles) from Trujillo and is reachable by taxi or shared van, with guided tours through the accessible part included in admission. The best time to visit is in the morning, when the light is softer and temperatures are more comfortable.
Many of the adobe bricks still show visible symbols placed by different building groups to mark their work. These marks helped researchers better understand the building process and the organization of Moche society.
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