National Museum

▪ museum, Lima, Peru

Spanish  Museo de la Nación 

      museum in Lima, Peru, containing artifacts that offer an overview of pre-Hispanic human history in Peru. It constitutes an archaeological record spanning the period from 14,000 BC to AD 1532.

      The museum was opened in 1990 and occupies a large building that was originally built to house government offices. Its four floors of exhibition space contain textiles, ceramics, sculptures, jewelry, weapons, and other materials, many contextualized in scenic recreations and dioramas representing Peru's cultures throughout different eras and regions. The museum's chronological organization traces the various cultural interactions, from trade to war, that shaped Peru's ancient history. It begins with evidence of human origins and proceeds by highlighting the major periods of Andean society, discussing advanced techniques in farming, architecture, and social organization. Temporary displays typically have national or regional themes, frequently emphasizing more-contemporary events.

* * *