HUACA DE LA LUNA

The Huaca de la Luna is a large adobe brick structure built by the Moche people of northern Peru. It is a large complex of three main platforms, each one serving a different function. An interesting aspect of the temple's construction is that all of the bricks used in the structure bear one of ninety-three different markings, each one corresponding to a group of laborers. Each "team" was assigned a mark to put on their bricks, and these were used to count the number of bricks laid for financial as well as (presumably) competitive purposes.

The huaca was decorated with murals which were painted in black, bright red, white, and yellow. The sun and weather have faded these murals away, but other murals used in earlier phases of construction can still be seen inside. Many of these depict a deity now known as Ayapec. "Ayapec" is a Quechua word translating as "Wrinkle-Face;" this name was given to the diety by the Incas because of the deity's appearance.

Best tour including a Huaca de la Luna visit:

• Northern & Southern Kingdoms - 27 days.
• Total Peru - 22 days.

More information:

• Mochica culture (newsletter article).
• Temples of Sun & Moon (newsletter article).