ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the mechanical tests carried out in the components of the structural system of one of the most emblematic earthen archaeological complex in Peru, 'Huaca de la Luna'. Original adobe units and pieces of earthen mortar from the monument were transported to the structural laboratory at Pontifical Catholic University of Peru where compression and three point bending tests were carried out. The Moche civilization was settled in the north coast of Peru and lasted from 100 AD to 650 AD. Huaca de la Luna is a massive earthen archaeological complex identified as one of the most important buildings of the culture. Due to the high importance of preserving earthen archaeological monuments, several investigations were carried out to determine the mechanical behavior of adobe and mortar. The extracted samples correspond to the area denominated as 'Templo Nuevo' and they were obtained during an archaeological excavation in 2015.
