Antonini Museum in Nazca:
Archaeological Treasures of the Nasca Culture

📍 The Museum in Brief

The Antonini Museum is an educational archaeological museum inaugurated on July 7, 1999 in Nazca. It presents the major discoveries from the excavations of the Nasca Project directed by the Italian Archaeological Mission since 1982.

🎯 Mission and Vision

The museum offers the public the opportunity to immerse themselves in the wonders of the Nasca Culture through a great diversity of archaeological materials. It aims to be a platform for interaction between visitors and pre-Columbian history.

🏢 Museum Facilities

• 7 exhibition halls with completely renovated museography
• Landscaped gardens housing a section of the Bisambra Aqueduct
• Scale models of Nasca architecture reconstructions
• Information panels updated according to latest discoveries

🏺 Movable Cultural Assets

The museum exhibits the Movable Cultural Assets (MCA) recovered during the Nasca Project excavations, as well as pieces from the CEAP Collection that were donated and duly registered with the Ministry of Culture.

📦 Types of Exhibited Pieces

• Ceramic vessels with archaeological contexts
• Textiles exceptionally preserved
• Organic remains and ceremonial offerings
• Ritual musical instruments
• Metal objects and various artifacts

🔍 Focus on Cahuachi

Most pieces come from systematic excavations of the Cahuachi Ceremonial Center, allowing the reconstruction of Nasca society dynamics over nearly 1000 years.

🎯 Scientific Objectives

The Nasca Project, initiated in 1982, is one of the oldest archaeological projects in Peru. It focuses its work on:

• Recovery and enhancement of Cahuachi
• Study of relationships between habitation sites and geoglyphs
• Reconstruction of Nasca society (diet, economy, clothing)
• Dating and sequencing of construction phases

🏺 Major Discoveries

• 5 evolution phases of Cahuachi over nearly 1000 years
• Human and animal sacrifice rituals before abandonment
• Cause of abandonment: violent earthquake + catastrophic El Niño phenomenon
• Ritual fire of temple wooden structures

📊 Key Figures

• 41 years of continuous research (1982-2023)
• Only 3% of Cahuachi excavated to date
• 7.3 km²: total area of Cahuachi site
• Dating: 500 BC to 550 AD (oldest: 4282 BC)

💰 Services Offered

• Guided tours in several languages
• Photography allowed (no flash)
• Gift shop with souvenirs and publications
• Gardens freely accessible

🏛️ Organization and Recognition

The Italian Archaeological Mission (MAI) is directed by Dr. Giuseppe Orefici and operates under an agreement with the Peruvian Ministry of Culture. It is recognized by both Italian and Peruvian governments.

🌎 International Projects

• Nasca Project (Peru, 1982-2023) - 41 years of research
• Tiwanaco Project (Bolivia, 2007-2014)
• Ahu Togariki Project (Easter Island, Chile, 1990-2000)
• La Venta Project (Mexico, 1996-1998)

🔧 Working Methodology

• Systematic excavations by large areas
• Consolidation of coatings and structural reinforcements
• Desalination and structure protection
• Multidisciplinary international teams

🎯 To Make the Most of the Museum

• 📚 Allow 2-3 hours for a complete visit
• 🗣️ Guided tour recommended to understand the context
• 📷 Camera allowed (no flash)
• 🌳 Enjoy the gardens and outdoor scale models

🔗 Combine with Other Sites

• 🏛️ Antonini Museum in the morning (archaeological context)
• 🌵 Cahuachi in the afternoon (original site)
• ⚡ Cantalloc Aqueducts as an option

👥 Target Audience

• 🎓 Students and researchers in archaeology
• 🧳 Curious tourists interested in pre-Columbian culture
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families with children interested in history