El Brujo is one of the most important archaeological complexes on the north coast of Peru. Constructed in the Pre-ceramic period, 5000 years ago, “El Brujo” (the Sorcerer) consists of 3 large pyramids: the Dark Temple (Huaca Prieta), the Closed-off Temple (Huaca Cortada) and the Temple of Old Cao, which offers magnificent multi-colored friezes in bas-relief depicting a line of red human prisoners on their way to ritual slaughter. The three temples are unique among Moche cultural sites for their spectrum of colors and designs. Each temple measures at least 20 meters high and 1.5 kilometers long. In 2005, archaeologist R\u00e9gulo Franco discovered the intact tomb of the Lady Cao, a young woman adorned with the regalia of a high Moche religious and political leader. Her arms were decorated with tattoos of snakes and spiders, indicating she was imbued by her people with mystical powers. This woman, who died around 300 C.E., shortly after giving birth, is believed to have been the first known female ruler of pre-Columbian Peru \u2014 a Cleopatra of South America.<\/p>\n
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