Curating ancient Peru: bringing archaeological objects to life in museum exhibitions to forge connections with the past and enrich learning spaces

Abstract

This article explores the curatorial process of conceiving and developing archaeological exhibitions in museums, focusing on how objects can be used in narratives to complement formal learning environments and enhance visitors´ connections to their past. It approaches the subject by analysing a series of Pre-Columbian exhibitions carried out across a decade at the Museo de Arte de Lima (MALI), one of Peru’s leading arts and cultural institutions. Despite its vast cultural heritage, Peru has been marked by a significant gap between archaeology and education and a minimal history of exhibitions dedicated to the critical interpretation and display of this past. This study explores the integration of museum strategies for creating engaging experiences with archaeological topics, while drawing on academic scholarship to explore underlying aspects of curatorial work in museums related to the objects’ histories, taking into account the particularities of the worlds to which they belong.