Around AD 600, shifting sand-dunes forced the abandonment of the Moche capital at Cerro Blanco. The centre of administration now moved to Cerro Galindo at the head of the Moche valley, beyond the range of shifting sands and well situated to supervise the maintenance of the surviving irrigation canals.
A large hillside fortress already stood here. A large town sprang up on the surrounding lower ground, with buildings of cane and adobe (sun-dried mud). Pyramids for active ceremonial use and for elite burial were constructed.
A substantial part of the town was given over to storage rooms, showing that the rulers were now very concerned with controlling food supplies.
Although Galindo continued to be a major centre, the Moche seat of power soon shifted 95 miles (150 km) north to the new city of Pampa Grande.
