The Museo Tumbas Reales de Sipán is one of Peru's finest museums, purpose-built to display the extraordinary treasures excavated from the nearby tomb of the Lord of Sipán, a Moche ruler buried around 250 AD. The gold death mask, turquoise-inlaid ear ornaments, and elaborate ceremonial regalia are breathtaking in their craftsmanship and sheer quantity.
The museum building itself is designed to resemble an inverted Moche pyramid, and the layout guides you upwards through the levels of the tomb in reverse — ending where the archaeologists began, at the very top. Allow at least two hours. The exhibits are thoughtfully lit and the English signage is better than at most Peruvian museums.