Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Need to Know
GO LATE
The museum is open until 10pm every night.
DINING TIP
The restaurant
gets busy; reserve a table upon arrival for a tasty post-art meal.
For further coverage,
Museo Larco Don't Miss
List
BY ANDRÉS ÁLVAREZ CALDERÓN, DIRECTOR OF THE MUSEO LARCO
SINCE 2003
1 SACRIFICE VESSELS
Pre-Columbian cultures were agricultural societies that worshipped the forces of
nature. Human sacrifice, therefore, was considered integral to maintaining the natural
order. In the Sacrifice Ceremony Gallery you will find elaborate depictions of this ritu-
al - the most important liturgy within the Moche culture of the north coast.
2 LORD OF CHAN CHAN
Imagine a time when the only gleaming things were the sun, the moon, the stars - and
all-powerful lords dressed entirely in silver and gold. They shone like heavenly beings
and were considered, by their people, divine creatures. In this context, this gold cere-
monial suit from Chan Chan, near Trujillo, will take your breath away.
3 THE PARACAS MANTLE
This incredible textile from the Paracas region was woven in 200 BC and is considered
a treasure. It originally wrapped the body of a dead ruler - an assurance of successful
passage to the afterlife. If you look closely at its borders, you'll recognize stylized rep-
resentations of three animals sacred to ancient societies: the feline (representing the hu-
man world), the serpent (underworld) and birds (heaven).
4 THE EROTIC GALLERY
