Main plaza Palacio Tschudi Chan ChanCyArk
Chan Chan was the capital of the ancient Chimú civilization that flourished on the northern coast of Peru between the 12th and 15th centuries.
Aerial image of Palacio Tschudi, Chan ChanCyArk
In the middle of the massive mud brick city there are nine rectangular complexes. Palacio Tschudi is one of the largest and includes palaces, a large reservoir, funerary platforms and places for offerings surrounded by a tall thick mud wall.
Chan Chan Palacio TschudiCyArk
Tschudi also contains an area of U-shaped audiencias or ritual rooms that lead through to storerooms where it’s believed offerings were kept. These are around 4 square metres and originally had elevated floors and gabled roofs.
Tap to explore
Pan round the audiencias to see the honeycombed mud walls thought to represent fishing nets.
Laser scanning Palacio Tschudi at Chan ChanCyArk
Many of the walls feature geometric, human, and animal designs.
Pelican glyphs adorn the walls at Chan Chan by CyArkCyArk
Patterns of seabirds and fish show how important the sea and its resources were to the people of Chan Chan.
