For nearly six months this year, the immersive exhibition "The Inca and Their Tawantinsuyu: The Land of Four Quarters" has captivated visitors to the Nanshan Museum in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province. Featuring 168 artifacts from Peru, the exhibition offers a window into the vibrant Andean civilization and the grandeur of the Inca Empire. The collection includes bone tools, metalwork, stone carvings, ceramics, woodwork, textiles, paintings, and even mummies, with each artifact embodying the rich Inca cultural heritage and its profound historical, scientific, and artistic significance.
The term "Inca," originally the Quechua word for tribal leaders and kings, literally means "Child of the Sun." As such, the Inca people viewed themselves as children of the sun, the rightful owners of gold and glory. Rising from Cusco, Peru, the Inca established their empire, Tawantinsuyu – "the Land of Four Quarters" – across the Andes, leaving behind stunning landmarks like Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, and the mysterious Moray circular terraces.
As one of the three great civilizations of the Americas, along with the Maya and the Aztec, Inca culture remains a key part of humanity's shared heritage. To deepen visitor engagement, the exhibition includes interactive displays, where visitors can immerse themselves in the legacy of the Inca through themed installations and hand-drawn message boards, enhancing their journey into this fascinating world.