Huaca La Esmeralda

Huaca La Esmeralda.
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Location	Trujillo District, Trujillo province, La Libertad Region, Peru
Region	Moche Valley (Northern Peru)
Altitude	32 m (105 ft)
Type	Settlement
Area	2600 m²
History
Material	Adobe
Periods	Late Intermediate Period
Cultures	Chimú
Site notes
Ownership	Peruvian Government
Public access	Yes

The Huaca La Esmeralda is an archaeological building belonging to the Chimu culture, is located in the Peruvian city of Trujillo. It is estimated that the adobe construction was done during the first stage of development of the Chimu culture, in close link with the capital Chan Chan. It occupies an area of approximately 2,600 square meters.

It is said the Huaca La Esmeralda could have been the palace of a great Chimú lord of the Mansiche area. Its architecture has three terraces adorned with zoomorphic and geometric figures (diamonds) all in relief, has a fairly steep ramp that connects its two levels.^[1]

Huaca meaning ceremonial cup. Huaca La Esmeralda translates as the ceremonial cup of Esmeralda. With little archaeological study done at this site, it seems unclear as to who Esmeralda was and how it was given that name.

• Iperu, tourist information and assistance
• Tourism in Peru
• Huaca del Sol
• Chan Chan
• Huaca del Dragón

• Kubler, George. (1962). The Art and Architecture of Ancient America, Ringwood: Penguin Books Australia Ltd., pp. 247–274
• Archaeologists Restore High Adobe Walls in Ancient Chimu City of Chan Chan
• Heavy Rains Threaten Ancient City in Northern Peru

• Location of Huaca Esmeralda in Trujillo city (Wikimapia)
• UNESCO World Heritage Center: Chan Chan
• History Channel Classroom: Chan Chan
• Chan Chan information
• Chan Chan - Chimu's Desert City (Flash)

8°06′17″S 79°02′51″W / 8.1046°S 79.0474°W / -8.1046; -79.0474