Explore the vibrant natural and cultural landscape of one of the most challenging and complicated environments on the planet, Peru.
Peru is a country of extremes, with some of the highest altitudes and driest deserts on earth. Discover how generations of people have thrived in this eclectic landscape, developing unique approaches to time, agriculture, economy and power. Taking a close look at communities of early indigenous people and the Inca Empire, the exhibition particularly explores how past cultures have been shaped and inspired by the diverse makeup of the central Andes, and the legacy they left behind.
Striking photography and video of iconic sites such as Machu Picchu allow for a vivid sense of place moving through the exhibition, while ceramics, precious metals, textiles and ritual paraphernalia from the museum’s collection reveal the artistic prowess of ancient Andean cultures.
For a sneak peek at the British Museum’s Inca collection, check out our roundup of intriguing objects in museum collections online, featuring a cheerful golden llama dating back to 14th-15th-century Peru.