Royal Tombs of Sipan

I read Lords of Sipan after hearing one of the Great Lectures, and found it fascinating, but needed the color photographs of this book to be able to keep track of the discoveries. If you like to read of archeological discoveries, of the ancient peoples of Peru, then you will really enjoy having this book in your collection. The finds are fascinating as you read about and see photos of the intricate gold and metal objects that were buried with these ancients long before Columbus arrived in the new world. It is unfortunate that grave robbers loot so many of the ancient burial grounds and that the wonderful works of art disappear into private collections when they should be available for all scholars and interested folk to see. Seeing such things, even in pictures, adds to our understanding to the people who lived so long ago, and who are often dismissed as 'uncivilized' because we don't know anything about them. Their knowledge and ability to work metal will surprise you when you see the tiny tiny articles that they made. It is sad that the poverty of so many countries leads to the desire/ need to sell off the artifacts for survival instead of giving them to the world.

I purchased this after our return from Peru and a visit to the Museo Tumbas Reales De Sipan in Lambayeque. The Museum and its collections were stunning and we wanted to have something to show people when we returned about the fabulous artwork and cultural artifacts of the Moche as photograpy was prohibited in the museum.There was no bookstore at the museum so I purchased this book on Amazon. As noted in the description it was published in 1993 and therefore could not have included all of the more recently excavated finds or restored artwork present in the museum which is the only problem with the book. The book is a good purchase for the account of the excavation and the description of Moche culture. There are many images included of Moche arts that were excavated at Sipan that to the surprise of most visitors eclipse the quality of the later Incas and are some of the most beautiful and intricate arts of antiquity.

This is rather an old book in terms of discoveries about the Moche, but it's printed on thick paper with rich color. There's also fold out sections relating to two tombs that show the relationship of items to one another when discovered. There's also some nice pictures of items as found and after "conservation", which is many cases appears to be reconstruction, but that's not a dispute I particularly care about.A nice book to have to reference the excavation of these two particular tombs.

As an ancient history enthusiast, I found this book to be a fabulous discovery on my part. The oversized format and pull-out recreations are pure joys to the reader. The excellent text, penned by the excavating archaeologist and by the leading authority on Moche iconography, is illustrated with wonderfully detailed photos as well as line drawings of scenes imprinted upon the artifacts themselves. I recommend this volume to anyone interested in pre-Inca history and art, as well as to anyone fascinated by the mystery revolving around the discovery of ancient treasures.

Thanks.

Very interesting information; a bit heavy on pictures and lean on text, but still very informative. Highly recommended.

Its been a few years since I saw the exhibition in a UCLA museum, but the images in this volume brought it back perfectly. It only misses by not including the audio that was available at the exhibition.

Very good

Book arrived in the timescales given by the seller and is just as advertised. A wonderful reminder of the amazing museum in Peru where these finds are kept.

Superbe livre sur la découverte du trésor su Seigneur de Sipan (que j'ai eu l'opportunité de voir, ainsi le magnifique musée dédié). Très belles photos de bonne qualité, Anglais très simple. Excellent complément au livre sorti en 2009, toujours par Walter Alva, mais en version "light" de 136 pages. Un livre à recommander, car reprend bien la période de fouilles.

I had not heard of Sipan until I visited the north coast of Peru a year ago. I was fortunate to take a tour of the Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum. I was overwhelmed by the excellent information I received both from the guide and the English signage in the museum but I vowed to learn more about the treasures that were exhibited there. This book was written before the museum was built but it explains the excavation of the tombs and the treasures found there exceedingly well. I feel fortunate to have found a copy of this book and I recommend it to anyone interested in Peru history. The Incas were not the only show in town!