- The Australian Museum has pulled off a coup in becoming only the fourth city in the world to show this exhibition.
- Gold, silver and precious metals feature in a golden display of Inca culture.
- A world first virtual reality show of Machu Picchu in the Andes is already a virtual sell out for this month.
The world could do with mythological superhero Ai Apaec right now. Peruvians believe he reunited the earth, sun and oceans when he feared the planet would go dark 2000 years ago.
But he did have to fight some pretty fearsome foes like The Decapitator to save his world.
Sound like an early climate activist? Possibly. Marvel was so impressed with his story the Comic Book company has already spun it into several successful Spider Man characters.
He’s just one of the gods and kings you’ll meet at the Australian Museum’s Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru exhibition, which opened this weekend.
It’s the fascinating story of a civilisation overshadowed by The Egyptians and Romans. And they were certainly primitive by comparison, even though they came well after the ancient Egyptian rulers.
The exhibition, developed in partnership with Neon Global, Museo Larco and the Ministry of Culture of Peru, is another exclusive to the Australian Museum.
It follows the huge success of Ramses II, the Egyptian blockbuster that see over half a million ticket sales at the same venue.
So is it as good? It’s certainly as brilliant for history buffs, and the virtual reality fly-over of one of the world’s wonders, Machu Pucchu, is proving a huge draw card (this reviewer unfortunately couldn’t get tickets). And it features the most opulent collection of Andean gold to ever travel outside of Peru.
The Peruvian artefacts are, however, far more primitive.
Ramses & Gold of the Pharaohs features 182 priceless artefacts including the sarcophagus of Ramses II – one of the most impressive royal coffins from ancient Egypt ever to be discovered. It’s a hard act to follow and this is certainly a worthy successor.
The real attention grabbers here are the extraordinary stories – and, of course the remarkable history of Machu Piccu, perched on mountain 2,430 metres above the Amazon. It remained hidden when the Spanish invaded the Andean Region in 1532 by the cloud and forests.
It was only rediscovered by historian Hiram Bingham in 1911, the pinnacle of the Inca empire and a fascinating glimpse into how they lived.
Sydney is only the fourth city in the world to host this collection and there is no doubt it is something of a coup for the highly progressive AM.
“Once again the Australian Museum is bringing an extraordinary exhibition to Sydney, this time celebrating the rich cultural history of Peru with Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru,” Tourism Minister John Graham said at the opening.
Machu Picchu is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and a symbol of the Inca Empire’s architectural and cultural achievements.
There are 134 priceless treasures on show, many made from precious metals such as gold, silver and gilded copper.
The exhibition focuses on six key themes, tracing the origins of ancient Peruvians societies, their religious beliefs and rituals, royal power, trade and agriculture, and their eventual decline, at the hands of Spanish conquistadors.
Visitors journey through Andean history, discovering the myths and cosmology of ancient Peru, through the royal burial treasures, exquisite ceramics and objects that reveal the everyday and sacred lives of six prominent cultures covering the most recent 3000 years of civilisations: Chavín, Moche, Chimú, Nazca, Lambayeque, and Inca.
The exhibition also features the first-ever virtual reality tour of Machu Picchu, offering a bird’s-eye view of the famed UNESCEO World Heritage listed site.
The experience recently won ‘Best Use of VR’ at the Lumiere Awards. It costs an extra $22 on top of the $42.40 ticket fee per adult, and is almost booked out for November.
Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru will be supported by Peruvian themed events, including exclusive conversations, experiences, music and tours.
The summer program, Journey to Peru includes:
Conversations of the Golden Empires: From the Andes to the Amazon: Join experts for a journey through Peruvian archaeology and the spiritual legacies of its ancient empires. Date: Saturday, 14 December 2024, 10:30am – 11:30am | Cost: $10 Member, $25 Non-Member, $22.50 Concession
Conversations of the Golden Empires: Modern Discoveries of an Ancient Land: Explore Peru’s biodiversity and its insights into ancient life, culture, and beliefs, guided by historians and scientists. Date: Saturday, 8 February 2025, 10:30am – 11:30am | Cost: $10 Member, $25 Non-Member, $22.50 Concession
Peruvian Nights at the Museum: Discover the wonders of ancient Peru after dark. Every Wednesday in January during Sydney Festival, the Museum is open late, giving you exclusive after-hours access to Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru.
Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru
When: Finishes on February 23, 2025
Where: Australian Museum, 1 William St, Sydney NSW 2010 2/3
Exhibition Tickets: Off peak: Adult $37.50, Child $20.00, Family x 4 $94.00; Peak: Adult $42.50, Child $23.50, Family x 4 $110.00. VR experience: $22.00
