This remarkable figure  , known as the “Crab Man,” comes from the Old Lord of Sipán tomb in Peru, dating to ca. 200 AD.

The “Crab Man” from the Old Lord of Sipán Tomb is one of the most striking figures uncovered at the famous Moche burial site in northern Peru. This finely crafted funerary sculpture represents a high-ranking individual adorned with crab-like attributes, symbolizing his connection to the sea and the powerful aquatic forces revered in Moche religion.

The figure’s elaborate headdress, ornamentation, and hybrid human-crustacean features reflect the Moche fascination with supernatural beings and the close relationship between earthly elites and divine or mythological entities. Found within one of the most richly furnished tombs of the Moche culture, the Crab Man embodies the sophisticated artistry, ritual complexity, and symbolic depth that characterize the Sipán discoveries.