Topologies of the Tombs of the Señor de Sipán, Peru: Pope Leo XIV and Cultural Preservation

Abstract

This paper (number 5) in the research project “Burying the Dead” follows the introductory comments and typology of previous papers ( Aguilar, 2024a , 2024b , 2025a , 2025b ) but moves the material context of historically state sanctioned cemeteries to northwestern Peru. As in previous topologies, this paper outlines the characteristics of special continuity and change on locations where tombs are ordered to understand their significance within a socio-historical location. The burial complex known as el señor de Sipán is in northwestern Peru, at Huaca Rajada, Sipán and was discovered in 1987 within a pre-Incan complex of the ancient Moche culture. This paper examines the topology of the royal tombs that being part of an elite within Moche culture relate to paths into the afterlife very similar to those topologies of the Valley of the Kings in Egypt. Indeed, this paper suggests that topological properties in Sipán show the relatedness between human rationalities in Moche culture and KV55 at the Egyptian Valley of the Kings (paper 6 of this research project). Thus, discussions on topological places , homeomorphism s and homotopies become important agendas for a comparative cultural preservation considering the traditional applications of natura non facit saltus .