In the heart of the Lima district of Pueblo Libre stands an institution that treasures over 200 years of history and preserves the most important cultural legacy of Peru. The National Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology, and History of Peru (MNAAHP) is not just a museum; it is the custodian of national memory and the first museum in the country, founded in 1822 under the patronage of the liberator José de San Martín.
History and foundation: Over two centuries of cultural tradition
The early years (1822-1900)
The National Museum of Peru was founded under the patronage of José de San Martín in 1822 by José Bernardo de Tagle, Bernardo de Monteagudo, and Mariano Eduardo de Rivero y Ustariz, who took on the leadership of the project in 1826. During its first decades, without a fixed location, the collection was housed in various places until, in 1872, the heritage was exhibited in the main Palace of the International Exhibition of Lima.
The museum’s first collection was formed from pioneering archaeological excavations, generous donations, and the strategic acquisition of pre-Hispanic objects that were beginning to attract international scientific interest.
The era of Max Uhle and Julio C. Tello (1900-1945)
On May 6, 1905, it was re-established under the name National History Museum, with José Augusto de Izcue as director, who hired the prestigious German archaeologist Max Uhle. This collaboration marked a milestone in Peruvian archaeology, as Uhle introduced modern scientific methods in the study of pre-Hispanic cultures.
In 1911, Julio C. Tello took over the archaeological area, with Emilio Gutiérrez de Quintanilla as director. By that time, the museum had a collection of over 9,000 cataloged archaeological pieces. Tello, considered the father of Peruvian archaeology, fundamentally transformed the understanding of the country’s pre-Columbian cultures.
Institutional evolution and modern consolidation
The museum’s history reflects the political and academic changes in Peru. Due to disagreements between the director and Tello, the Archaeology section became independent in 1924 as the Museum of Peruvian Archaeology, while the colonial and republican sections adopted the name Bolivarian Museum.
Finally, in 1992, they were merged again, giving birth to the National Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology, and History of Peru. Among its directors have been recognized intellectual figures from Peru, such as Fernando Silva Santiesteban, Duccio Bonavia, Luis Guillermo Lumbreras, María Rostworowski, and Franklin Pease.
Collections: A national treasure of 300,000 pieces
Pre-Hispanic heritage
The MNAAHP boasts a vast variety of historical cultural objects from Peruvian civilization, housing over 300,000 pieces that span the entire human occupation of what is now Peru. This impressive collection includes:
Ceramics: The largest collection of ceramics from Ancient Peru, ranging from the earliest pottery manifestations to the refined Inca productions. Each piece tells a story about daily life, religious beliefs, and the technological development of Peruvian civilizations.
Textiles: An extraordinary collection of textiles that spans from the earliest inhabitants to the Inca period, showcasing advanced techniques of complexity and artistic richness that still amaze modern specialists. The Paracas mantles are particularly noted for their exceptional preservation and intricate designs.
Precious metals: An important collection that includes gold, silver, and precious stone objects that testify to the mastery of pre-Hispanic goldsmiths. Despite the 1981 theft that affected 220 pieces, the collection retains exceptional specimens.
Stone material: Sculptures, tools, and stone monuments that include some of the most emblematic pieces of Peruvian archaeology.
Collection highlights: Iconic pieces
The Raimondi Stela: A masterpiece of Chavín art
Within Chavín culture, one of the iconic pieces is the Raimondi Stela (400 BC-200 BC), a granite slab on which the image of one of the main deities of the Chavín de Huántar temple has been sculpted.
This granite slab measures 1.98 m in height, 74 cm in width, and 17 cm in thickness, featuring on one side the representation of the main deity of the Chavín during the time of the New Temple. The stela represents the “God of the Staffs,” a deity that combines human, feline, and bird of prey characteristics, symbolizing power over natural elements.
The Tello Obelisk: Dualistic symbolism
The Tello Obelisk is a sculpture 2.58 meters tall that represents two dragon-like entities, likely male and female. This piece perfectly complements the Raimondi Stela in its representation of the Chavín worldview, showcasing the duality that characterized pre-Hispanic Andean thought.
The Crossed Hands of Kotosh
One of the oldest and most mysterious sculptures on the continent, representing crossed human hands carved in clay, dating back approximately 4,000 years. This piece testifies to the artistic and religious development of the early complex societies of Peru.
Paracas Mantles
The textiles from Paracas represent one of the most sophisticated textile traditions of the ancient world. These funerary mantles, with their complex polychrome designs and extraordinary embroidery techniques, have survived for over 2,000 years in perfect condition thanks to the desert climate of the Peruvian coast.
Colonial and republican collections
The museum also houses significant documentary, photographic, and bibliographic collections that reflect the colonial and republican periods. The collection includes:
- Paintings from the Cuzco School of painting from the viceroyalty period
- Works from the republican period
- Objects of historical-artistic value that narrate Peru’s transition to independence
- The Quinta de los Libertadores, where José de San Martín and Simón Bolívar lived
Architecture and facilities: The Palace of Magdalena
History of the building
The museum is located in the old Palace of Magdalena, around Plaza Bolívar. The Quinta de los Libertadores, commissioned by Viceroy Pezuela, showcases the spaces where Don José de San Martín and Don Simón Bolívar also resided.
The building combines architectural elements from the late colonial and republican periods, creating a historical atmosphere that perfectly complements the collections it houses. Visitors can walk through the same spaces where the liberators of America planned the continent’s future.
Current layout
The museum’s permanent exhibition occupies an area of 23,000 m² spread across 30 rooms. This vast area allows for a chronological presentation that guides visitors from the earliest inhabitants of Peruvian territory to the republican era.
Renovation and modernization: Towards the future
Comprehensive remodeling project
The National Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology, and History of Peru (MNAAHP), the country’s first museum and one of the most important cultural spaces in the Peruvian capital, will close its doors to the public on February 28. More than 250,000 pieces will be relocated to make way for a comprehensive reform that will modernize the spaces and narratives of the MNAAHP, making the place a cultural reference for the 21st century.
The project includes the recovery and conservation of the infrastructure, improvements in storage areas, a renewed museography, as well as the optimization of educational programs and the implementation of workshops.
Objectives of modernization
The ambitious renovation project aims to:
- Meet international standards for conservation and exhibition
- Incorporate modern technologies for an interactive experience
- Redesign the museographic narrative for contemporary audiences
- Improve accessibility for people with disabilities
- Optimize climate control and security systems
- Create new educational and research spaces
Practical information for visitors
Location and access
Address: Plaza Bolívar s/n, Pueblo Libre, Lima District: Pueblo Libre (at the height of block 8 of Jirón General Vivanco, in front of the Municipality)
Hours and prices
Regular hours from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9:00 AM to 7:30 PM; Monday, from 12:00 PM to 7:30 PM.
Admission: Currently free for all visitors
Important note: The museum will close on February 28 to begin the remodeling process. During this period, only the Independence Room in the Quinta de los Libertadores will be available.
Available services
- Library
- Complaints Book
- Bookstore
- Restrooms
- Accessibility: Wheelchair
Educational services:
- Specialized guided tours
- Workshops for children and teenagers
- Educational programs for schools
- Conferences and academic talks
Contact
Phone: (01) 618939-5248 Email: mnaahp@cultura.gob.pe Social media: Facebook and Instagram (@museonacional_pueblolibre)
Cultural and educational programs
Regular activities
Cultural Thursdays: This is a space aimed at providing artistic groups the opportunity to showcase their art to the community. Theater, music, and dance groups present various shows every Thursday, complemented by talks, book presentations, and conferences on topics of general interest.
Children’s Weekend: The museum presents children’s performances every weekend. On Saturdays, outdoor performances can be enjoyed in the gardens, and every Sunday at 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM, the little ones have an appointment in the auditorium.
Research and publications
The museum maintains a strong academic tradition through its specialized journals:
- Archaeological Journal: A scientific publication that disseminates archaeological research
- History and Culture Journal: Focused on historical and cultural studies
- Special publications: Catalogs, monographic studies, and educational material
Conservation workshops
The museum has conservation workshops for archaeological objects, highlighting those for textiles and metals. These workshops not only preserve heritage but also train new generations of conservators.
Cultural Importance and Legacy
A space for connecting with history
All of these make this space a meeting place with the history of Peru. The MNAAHP transcends its function as a repository of objects to become a vibrant space where the past dialogues with the present.
Contribution to national identity
This museum is the oldest and most representative of our country due to its valuable, varied, and vast cultural heritage that comes from the first scientific expeditions carried out in Peru, as well as from the first collections formed by the Peruvian state.
The museum has played a fundamental role in building Peruvian national identity, helping citizens understand and value the richness of their cultural heritage.
International impact
As the custodian of one of the most important archaeological collections in America, the MNAAHP attracts researchers, students, and visitors from around the world. Its collections have been the subject of studies that have revolutionized the understanding of pre-Columbian American civilizations.
Future challenges and opportunities
Conservation in the 21st century
The modernization project responds to contemporary challenges in museum conservation:
- Climate change and its effects on preservation
- New technologies for documentation and exhibition
- International standards for accessibility
- Environmental sustainability in museum operations
Democratization of access
The renovation aims to make the museum more accessible to diverse audiences:
- Improving the experience for visitors with disabilities
- Multilingual content for international tourists
- Educational programs tailored to different ages
- Using technology to reach remote audiences
International projection
The new MNAAHP aspires to become a global reference in archaeological museology, maintaining its leadership in the research and conservation of Peruvian cultural heritage while positioning itself as an essential cultural destination in Latin America.