Sican culture

For the archaeological site of the previous Moche culture, see Sipán.
For the people of ancient Sicily, see Sicani.
Sican

Map of the Sican culture (yellow)
Alternative namesLambayeque culture
Lambayeque kingdom
LanguageMochica (common language)
Geographical rangeDepartment of Lambayeque:
Olmos valley
Motupe Valley
La Leche valley
Lambayeque valley
Zaña valley
Department of La Libertad:
Jequetepeque valley
Chicama valley
PeriodMiddle Horizon
Late Intermediate
Datesc. 750 - 1375
Type siteBatán Grande
Major sitesTúcume
Chotuna-Chornancap
CharacteristicsSpecialists in goldsmithing and metallurgy of ancient Peru.
Preceded byMoche
Followed byChimor

The Sican (also Sicán) culture is the name that archaeologist Izumi Shimada gave to the culture that inhabited what is now the north coast of Peru between about 750 and 1375 CE. According to Shimada, Sican means "temple of the Moon". The Sican culture is also referred to as Lambayeque culture, after the name of the region in Peru. It succeeded the Moche culture. There is still controversy among archeologists and anthropologists over whether the two are separate cultures. The Sican culture is divided into three major periods based on cultural changes as evidenced in archeological artifacts.

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