Sican culture
Map of the Sican culture (yellow) | |
| Geographical range | Lambayeque |
|---|---|
| Period | Middle Horizon Late Intermediate |
| Dates | c. 750 - 1375 |
| Preceded by | Moche |
| Followed by | Chimor |
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.