New LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) surveys in the Sechura Desert have identified a massive, fortified urban complex belonging to the Moche culture. The city, which dates to approximately 900 CE, was previously hidden beneath shifting dunes and features a sophisticated network of defensive walls and watchtowers. The most significant find within the grid is a specialized industrial zone dedicated to large-scale salt production, intended for export to the Andean highlands.
The mapping reveals that the Moche people utilized a complex system of artificial lagoons to evaporate seawater, producing high-purity salt. This discovery challenges existing theories about Moche political boundaries, suggesting they maintained strong economic control over coastal resources much longer than previously thought. The site's fortification suggests that the salt trade was a highly contested and protected industry during a period of regional environmental stress.