Caballo Muerto

Caballo Muerto is a significant archaeological complex located in the Moche Valley of northern Peru. Occupied from 1500 BCE to 400 BCE, it is associated with the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age periods. The site features a series of artificial mounds and ceremonial platforms, most notably the Huaca de los Reyes, which exhibits a characteristic U-shaped layout typical of Cupisnique culture architecture. Notable for its intricate reliefs depicting animals such as snakes and felines, the site also showcases early forms of irrigation canals, reflecting the inhabitants' adaptation to the arid environment. The Cupisnique culture, prominent during this period, laid foundations for the later Moche civilization, highlighting the site's significance in the cultural and historical narrative of pre-Columbian Peru.