a guide to pomac historical sanctuary
Located in the Department of Lambayeque, Pomac Historical Sanctuary is one of just four areas in Peru categorised as 'historic sanctuaries', on account of it being a rare example of dry, equatorial forest, as well as home to sites of archaeological interest.
Archaeology in Pomac Historical Sanctuary:
Two Sican culture huacas in Pomac Historical Sanctuary.
The most notable site is Batan Grande (also known as Sican) which is the most important ruin of the Sican culture, dating from the 8th to 12th Century. It is made up of 20 pyramids, some reaching as high as 30 m (98 ft), constructed of adobe.
Archaeologists have uncovered a number of graves within these pyramids, containing metal and ceramic artefacts of great artistic merit, such as ceremonial knifes and funeral masks, along with the human remains.
The most famous of these is the tomb of The Lord of Sican, found by Japanese archaeologist Izumi Shimadi in 1991 and containing a high-ranking dignitary of the Lambayeque culture with his personal effects.
Batan Grande was declared a Peruvian National Heritage Site in 2009.
Fauna in Pomac Historical Sanctuary:
Rufous Flycatcher in Pomac Historical Sanctuary.
Pomac contains many of the dry forest bird species to be found at Chaparri.
It is an important site for the rare Peruvian Plantcutter and Rufous Flycatcher. Moreover, Burrowing Owls are easy to spot here.
Other key bird species:
Snowy-throated Kingbird
Tumbes Swallow
Necklaced Spinetail
Superciliated Wren
Coastal Miner
Pacific Elaenia
Rufous-winged Tyrannulet
Lineated Woodpecker
Scarlet-backed Woodpecker
Streak-headed Woodcreeper
Collared Antshrike
White-edged Oriole
Tawny-crowned Pygmy Tyrant
Grey & White Tyrannulet
How to Visit Pomac Historical Sanctuary:
The endemic species to be found in Pomac’s dry forest, and its convenient location on the way from Chiclayo to Chachapoyas, mean it is a destination on some of PeruNorth's birding routes:
A visit to Pomac - perhaps on horseback - can also be combined with nearby Tucume Pyramids. Just ask us for more information.
Birding in Pomac Historical Sanctuary.
What our clients say about Pomac Historical Sanctuary:
“The horse trip in Pomac was contrasting, with amazing views when we climbed the pyramids amongst the forest. ”