Ancient Shu and Inca exhibition in Peru links distant civilizations across time

An exhibition titled "Light of the Sun: A Dialogue Between Ancient Shu and Inca Civilizations" opened on Tuesday at the Inka Museum in Cusco, Peru.

Showcasing the parallel heritage of Ancient Shu and Inca civilizations, the exhibition features 16 sets of replicas and 3D-printed artifacts from China's Sanxingdui and Jinsha Site museums alongside seven sets of Inca cultural relics. Sanxingdui and Jinsha served as significant ceremonial centers of the ancient Shu civilization, which flourished in what is now southwest China's Sichuan Basin.

The highlight of the exhibition is the presentation of the iconic Sun and Immortal Birds Gold Ornament from the Jinsha archaeological site, which shares thematic connections with Inca solar worship traditions. This cultural parallel demonstrates a fascinating link between two civilizations that developed independently across vast geographical distances.

Leveraging modern technology, the exhibition also offers an immersive experience through VR headsets, allowing visitors to explore ancient Shu daily life and witness the complete archaeological journey of the Jinsha's "sacrificial area."

Organized by China's State Council Information Office, the Chinese Embassy in Peru, Peru's Ministry of Culture, and the Regional Government of Cusco, the exhibition runs through November 20.

It marks the latest initiative in a series of international exhibitions of Sanxingdui and Jinsha artifacts, which have traveled to Mexico, Morocco, France, Qatar, and Egypt since 2019.

(Cover: Visitors view exhibits at the exhibition "Light of the Sun: A Dialogue Between Ancient Shu and Inca Civilizations" in Museo Inka, Cusco, Peru, November 6, 2024. /CMG)