The Jinsha Site Museum in Chengdu, southwestern China, recently hosted a captivating exhibition on the Inca civilization from January to April. This showcase featured 168 remarkable pieces sourced from 14 prestigious museums across Peru, highlighting the rich cultural heritage of the Inca Empire.
The Inca civilization, one of the Americas' three major ancient societies, flourished in the Peruvian Andes between the 15th and 16th centuries AD. Renowned as the Golden Empire, the Incas are celebrated for their intricate gold craftsmanship, a characteristic that mirrors the ancient Sanxingdui civilization of China.
The exhibition not only displayed a diverse collection of boneware, ceramics, metals, stoneware, woodware, textiles, paintings, and mummies but also drew parallels between the Incas and the Sanxingdui people. Located in Guanghan, Sichuan Province, the Sanxingdui Ruins are a testament to one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century, believed to be remnants of the ancient Shu Kingdom dating back over four thousand years.
Both civilizations demonstrated advanced metallurgical skills, with the Incas' extensive use of gold and the Sanxingdui's impressive bronze artifacts. "Although China and Peru are thousands of miles apart, their respective cultural heritages share the common spiritual belief of sun worship," remarked Zhu Zhangyi, director of the Jinsha Site Museum.
This exhibition not only celebrates the artistic and technological achievements of the Inca Empire but also fosters a deeper understanding of the shared human quest for beauty and enlightenment across different cultures.
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Inca civilization exhibition reveals ancient Peru's riches in China
cgtn.com
