This nation has Naylamp as mythological origin, legendary character that arrived by the sea in a great fleet of rafts and warriors' retinue from a foreign country to San José's beaches (Lambayeque) and from there they were able to subordinate the Mochica nation that was in decadence, of whom they adopted their language.
This culture was contemporary to the Inca culture, and they reached as territorial domain the whole north coast, from Tumbes to the fortress of Paramonga in Lima. They had their apogee in the XIV century, they rejected the Inca domain permanently, with bloody battles, and they were conquered partially, until their total domain by the Spanish conquerors in the XVI century.
The great Chimú nation had for characteristics an advanced aristocratic and autocrat organization. They were builders of big cities; their biggest cultural center was Chan Chan's citadel and also constructions of high development on the valleys of Lambayeque.
Skilled manufacturers of artificial watering systems, subsisting some channels at the present time, they reached an advanced progress in the agriculture, being able to maintain 17 artificially arable valleys, that nowadays are deserts or of much more less arable extension.
Road builders, high development in metallurgy in the production of jewels and decorations made of gold, many of which have been extracted in the area of "Batan Grande" and today harbored in the "Museo de Oro" (Museum of Gold); notable characteristic in the making of their clothes in fine fabric.
Their biggest advance was reached in the ceramic (only overcome by the Mochicas), characterized by pots of black color and very refined surfaces, they used molds for the production in series. Its ceramic constitutes true historical documents leaving impressed all the daily activities and customs.
To appreciate their invaluable ceramic pieces, textiles you can go to the following museums "Arqueológico del Peru", "Larco Herrera", "De La Nación" in the city of Lima and the "Museo Brüning" in Lambayeque. "Museo de Oro" in Lima, jewels and decorations of gold.