Walter Alva

Walter Alva, Walter Alva Alva, ( born June 28, 1951 in Cajamarca, Peru ) is a Peruvian archaeologist who became world-famous by the discovery of the "Lord of Sipan ". Worldwide he is from a proven expert in the culture of the Moche, which he had studied in detail.

Life and work

Walter Alva comes from the city of Cajamarca, which is the capital of the region, and earned a degree in archeology.

In 1987, he made ​​the discovery that made him world-famous: he discovered the grave of today as Lord of Sipan ( Lord of Sipan ) designated famous princes of Sipan in Huaca Ratjada. This discovery is one of the most important archaeological discoveries in the 20th century and is often compared to Howard Carter's Hiram Bingham or discoveries. Alva secured the treasure found with his life, because the Fund had been discovered by grave robbers who wanted to make him the discovery dispute.

In 2007, he discovered, in another campaign again a grave in Sipan, but a socially not as superscripted personality. This expedition was financed by the production company of Pedro Almodovar.

He is a corresponding member of the German Archaeological Institute, and he also holds an honorary doctorate ( Dr. hc ) from six universities in Peru. In 1990 he was awarded the Order del Sol del Perú.

From 1977 to 2002 he was director of the Archaeological Museum Nacional Hans Heinrich Brüning ( Bruning Archaeological Museum ) in Lambayeque, which is one of the most important museums in Peru and Latin America. Since 2002 he has been director of the Museo de Tumbas Reales de Sipan in Lambayeque.

He is married to Susanna Meneses, his son, the archaeologist Bruno Alva, works with him at the recent excavations together.

Writings in German language (selection)

  • Early pottery from the Jequetepeque Valley, Northern Peru. ( = Materials for general and comparative archeology. Band 32). Beck, Munich, 1986, ISBN 3-406-31562-3.
  • Las Salinas de Chao. Early settlement in North Peru. ( = Materials for general and comparative archeology. Band 34). Beck, Munich, 1986, ISBN 3-406-31538-0.
  • Contributor to: The princely grave of Sipan. Discovery and restoration. Roman- Germanic Central Museum, Mainz, 1989, ISBN 3-88467-022-0. Published on the occasion of the exhibition of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany at the Goethe -Institut to Lima ( Peru), Roman - Germanic Central Museum and Others
  • The Inca and other significant cultures of the Andean region., 2000.
  • Participation in: gold from the ancient Peru. The Royal Tombs of Sipan. Hatje Cantz, Ostfildern -Ruit 2001, ISBN 3-7757-0959-2. Exhibition Gold from the Old Peru. The Royal Tombs of Sipan, of 15 December 2000 to 29 April 2001 in the Art and Exhibition Hall of the Federal Republic of Germany in Bonn.
  • Incas - the great people of the Andes., 2002.
Chiclayo Hiram Bingham III Ibero-American Institute Integrated Authority File
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