Towards the end of 20th century the Pre-Columbian archaeological heritage of Trujillo, in northern Peru, became a powerful symbol of local identity and economic development based on the tourism industry. In parallel, Trujillo's urban growth -a process that started around 1950-provoked the deterioration and loss of several archaeological sites located in areas subject to rapid transformation by modern neighborhoods. Although the situation does not appear promising, exploring the history of ancient and modern occupations, archaeological research, and management of Pre-Columbian sites in Trujillo allows obtaining a broader perspective on the role of archaeological heritage for the inhabitants of that modern Latin American metropolis.