Past Exhibitions
Ancient Peru Unearthed: Golden Treasures of a Lost Civilization
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Closed
March 10 to September 3, 2007
Discover a magnificent cache of long-hidden golden treasures from the Sicán civilization, a mysterious pre-Inca people who prospered off the northern coast of Peru as early as AD 700. This extraordinary exhibition showcases over 120 elaborately-crafted headdresses, crowns, pieces of pottery and jewellery, uncovered in an undisturbed, gold-filled tomb that is one of modern archaeology’s greatest finds.
The Sicán culture has been largely overshadowed by the more well-known and powerful Inca civilization. Little is known about the Sicán, only that they were skilled metallurgists, traders and seafarers who controlled a large expanse of coastal desert and fertile river valleys in northern Peru. Their culture is hallmarked by technically and artistically sophisticated art, pottery, architecture and religious artifacts.
Some of these artifacts were excavated in one of the most important archaeological sites in South America: Batán Grande, a sprawling complex of adobe pyramids and plazas, considered by the Sicán to be their religious centre. It was also the principal burial ground for their royalty. Ancient Peru Unearthed examines these remarkable finds and explores the rich history and artistry of this enigmatic civilization.
Podcasts
Marking the Moche: Tattoos and Body Modification in Ancient Peru
April 12, 2007
Associate Curator Justin Jennings talks about Moche objects on loan to the ROM from the Linden Museum in Stuttgart, Germany.
Video Podcast (19.6MB, 5m 37s)
Written Transcript (PDF)
ROM Backstage: Modelling the Sicán Lord's Tomb
March 30, 2007
ROM Artist Georgia Guenther creates a model of the tomb at Huaca Loro as part of the exhibition Ancient Peru Unearthed: Golden Treasures of a Lost Civilization.
Video Podcast (4 MB, 4m 20s)
Written Transcript (PDF)
Ancient Peru Unearthed: Introduction
March 15, 2007
Audio tour excerpt by William Thorsell (Director & CEO) introducing the Sicán civilization and the exhibition.
Audio Podcast (1.52MB, 3m 19s)
Written Transcript (PDF)
The Sicán Archaeological Project
March 15, 2007
Audio tour excerpt by Associate Curator Justin Jennings on the work of the Sicán Archaeological Project, including the 1995-1996 excavation of the West Tomb containing 23 individuals, and the 2006 discovery of a cemetery with 21 intact tombs.
Audio Podcast (1.27MB, 2m 46s)
Written Transcript (PDF)
Huaca Loro
March 15, 2007
Audio tour excerpt by Associate Curator Justin Jennings on Sicán sacred places, huacas, their layout and function, and the rituals and ceremonies held on these platform mounds, especially at Huaca Loro.
Audio Podcast (1.26MB, 2m 45s)
Written Transcript (PDF)
Ancient Peru Unearthed: Preview
March 09, 2007
William Thorsell (Director & CEO) and Justin Jennings (Associate Curator) address the audience at the media preview of the exhibition Ancient Peru Unearthed.
Audio Podcast (4 MB, 6m 08s)
Written Transcript (PDF)
Packing Peru
March 07, 2007
Registrar Lisa Tillotson from the Nickle Arts Museum in Calgary, describes the challenges of transporting and unpacking a priceless collection from Peru.
Video Podcast (4 MB, 2m 54s)
Written Transcript (PDF)
This exhibition has been financially assisted by the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund, a program of the Government of Ontario through the Ministry of Culture, administered by the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund Corporation.
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Ancient Peru Unearthed, Golden Treasures of a Lost Civilization, is organized and circulated by The Nickle Arts Museum in cooperation with the Sicán National Museum, Peru, and the National Institute of Culture of Peru. The national tour of this exhibition is made possible by Willow Park Wines & Spirits, Government of Alberta Community Development, AMJ Campbell Van Lines.
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