Peru’s ancient artifacts to be on display in Switzerland

A collection of artifacts from Peru’s ancient Moche culture has become more than an object of admiration for its undisputed artistic importance and will be on display at the Ethnography Museum of Geneva (MEG), in Switzerland.

Starting early next month “Mochica kings: Divinity and power in ancient Peru” will be showcasing latest treasures unearthed from the tomb of the Lord of Ucupe, buried between 340-540 CE and is located 475 miles north of the nation’s capital Lima.

From October 1st, 2014 through May 3rd, 2015, the exhibition will be displaying artifacts such as bottles, glasses, nose-rings, crowns, masks and diadems.

According to the Minister of Culture, the exhibition is aimed at promoting Peruvian ancient cultures worldwide, therefore it has authorized the departure of said valuable objects belonging to the National Cultural Heritage to be exhibited in the Geneva’s museum.

“Said artifacts will return to their place of origin within 30 calendar days following the exhibition’s closing date”, the MC noted through a supreme decree.

Renowned for their monumental architecture and rich visual culture, the Moche society inhabited the north coast of Peru during the Early Intermediate Period (AD 100–800).

They were innovators on many political, ideological, and artistic levels. They developed a powerful elite and specialized craft production, and instituted labor tribute payments.

This early Peruvian civilization elaborated new technologies in metallurgy, pottery, and textile production, and finally, they created an elaborate ideological system and a complex religious iconography.