Built defensively on top of an isolated highland mesa that is 5 kilometers long and 500 meters wide, with a vast view of the surroundings, Marcahuamachuco contains several major compounds.

During the later Middle Period (AD 700–900) followed into the Intermediate Late Horizon (until around 1200), archaeological evidence suggests that human burials were made within the walls.

The latest investigations of the site by researchers John and Theresa Lange Topic (1991) suggested that occupation may have been seasonal, with a maximum population of 6,000.

[5][6] The first formal archaeological research in Marcahuamachuco was conducted during three months in 1900 by Max Uhle and Julio C. Tello under the auspices of the University of California, Berkeley (UC).

In addition to reviewing Uhle's writings and collected specimens stored at the University's Museum of Anthropology, during two years of field work McCown excavated between the monumental galleries.

Encompassing more than three kilometres of land, the site is celebrated for its massive castillos and unique circular double-walled archaeological structures.

Today a new road makes it accessible on three and a half hours ride from the city of Trujillo, the third largest on the country's Pacific coast, and location of major Moche heritage sites.

More recently the Minister of Culture Juan Ossio denotes the importance of the site and names Marcahuamachuco, Wanuku Pampa and Kuelap as the major archaeological tourist destinations, at equal level to Machu Picchu.