What to Do in Huaraz: Visit the Ancash Archaeological Museum

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If you’re in Huaraz and are seeking a way to learn about the area’s great cultural history, consider making a trip to the Ancash Archaeological Museum.

For most people, the main draw to Huaraz is visiting the ancient temple and pilgrimage site Chavin de Huantar, and to hike across the area’s beautiful rugged landscape.

huaraz muesum
Photo: Scott Montgomery

But this area is incredibly rich in cultural history, as it’s been continuously inhabited for over 10,000 years. In order to learn more about this incredible history, the Ancash Archaeological Museum is a great place to go.

Founded in 1935 (and initially named the Ancash regional museum), the museum has four exhibition rooms; one for temporary exhibits, another for cultural artifacts like ceramics, and metals; and another for animal, lithic and human bone material (like mummies).

huaraz
Photo: Scott Montgomery

At the museum, you’ll find a small but valuable collection of ancient textiles, many of which were woven thousands of years ago. Considering the age of textiles such as the ones pictured above, many of them are still in great shape.

huaraz
Photo: Scott Montgomery

For ancient cultures from this region, art was an essential aspect of life. All evidence points to the fact that the people of these areas were masterful musicians.

huaraz
Photo: Scott Montgomery

By exploring the types of pottery that people once produced, we can get a glimpse of what people valued most. Pictured above is a vessel in the form of a squash which is native to the area.

huaraz
Photo: Scott Montgomery

If you venture into the back yard of the museum, you’ll find an area that’s full of dozens of sculptures that have been found in the area, most of which were produced by the Recuay culture (400 BC–AD 600) and the Wari culture (AD 600–1100).

huaraz
Photo: Scott Montgomery

How to visit the museum

Location: Next to the plaza de Armas in Huaraz (Av. Mariscal Toribio de Luzuriaga, Huaraz 02001)

Phone: (043) 421551

Cover photo: Robert Nunn/Flickr

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