Discover the Lost City
Abandoned by Incas … Hidden from Spaniards … Forgotten by Time
Machu Picchu: Unveiling the Mystery of the Incas opens February 13 at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science
DENVER—January 9, 2004 —When the Inca Empire fell to the Spanish conquistadors in 1532, the city of Machu Picchu, high atop the Andes in Peru, was already abandoned. Except for the occasional local farmer, Machu Picchu was almost forgotten by the world for nearly four centuries until it was rediscovered virtually intact in 1911. You can experience the mysteries of this extraordinary pre-Columbian “lost city,” its people, its sacred rituals and the science of archaeology in a new interactive exhibition at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. Machu Picchu: Unveiling the Mystery of the Incas, on view from February 13 through May 9, 2004, is the largest exhibition of Inca artifacts ever assembled in the United States and was organized by the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History.
The price of the exhibition is included in Museum admission. Highlights include
- Some of the finest surviving examples of Inca art, including more than 400 gold, silver, ceramic, bone and textile artifacts
- An archaeological dig for families
- A replica of an ancient Inca road
- An interactive tour of an Inca palace complex
- A life-size mannequin of an Inca king
- An interactive laboratory that shows how archaeologists in the 21st century interpret the 15th century
- A Spanish-language Gallery Guide that highlights the artifacts, dioramas and videos in the exhibition
Machu Picchu is one of the most significant archaeological sites and awe-inspiring tourist destinations in the Americas . The “lost city” was rediscovered by Yale archaeologist Hiram Bingham III in 1911. Since then, scholars have gathered clues to determine why it was built. While some have hypothesized that Machu Picchu was purely a sacred site or even a sanctuary for training Inca princesses and brides, more recent research has revealed that Machu Picchu was a country estate for the Inca elite—a 15 th century “Camp David” built for Pachacuti, an early Inca ruler.
Machu Picchu: Unveiling the Mystery of the Incas celebrates the science of archaeology. Dioramas, topographic models, thematic video displays and computer displays show visitors how archaeologists learn more about Machu Picchu and why it was abandoned. In Denver, families also will be able to participate in a fun archaeological dig site for families, created by the Denver Museum of Nature & Science.
Machu Picchu: Unveiling the Mystery of the Incas is presented in Denver by the Hilliard Family, Bank One, Newmont Mining Corporation, The Weitz Company and the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District. Machu Picchu: Unveiling the Mystery of the Incas was organized by the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History. The exhibition is made possible by grants and support from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Science Foundation, the Connecticut Humanities Council, The Heritage Mark Foundation, The William Bingham Foundation, Yale University and The Peruvian Connection.
In the spirit of collaboration among SCFD-funded organizations, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science and the Denver Art Museum are working together to promote their special exhibitions, Machu Picchu: Unveiling the Mystery of the Incas and Painting a New World: Mexican Art and Life, 1521- 1821 (April 3 through July 25, 2004 at the DAM). This continues a history of joint programming, lectures, special events and shared materials between the museums, strengthening and building new relationships with the Denver community.
Editor's Note: Media previews are available by appointment starting February 6.
Museum Information
Background: The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is the Rocky Mountain Region's leading resource for informal science education. A variety of engaging exhibits, discussions and activities help Museum visitors celebrate and understand the natural wonders of Colorado, Earth and the universe.
Standard Hours of Operation, Ticket Pricing and Discounts: The Museum is open seven days a week, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed December 25). General admission tickets are $9 each for adults and $6 each for juniors (ages 3-18) and seniors (60+). Tickets for the Phipps IMAX Theater are $8 each for adults and $5.50 each for juniors (ages 3-18) and seniors (60+). Tickets to the Gates Planetarium are $8 each for adults and $5.50 each for juniors (ages 3-18) and seniors (60+). Admission packages (Museum/IMAX, Museum/Planetarium, Museum/IMAX/Planetarium) and group discounts available. Admission prices and hours are subject to change. Museum members are admitted free and may purchase discounted tickets to the Phipps IMAX Theater and Gates Planetarium. For ticket information please call (303) 322-7009, TTY (303) 370-8257 for the hearing impaired or (800) 925-2250 outside the Denver metro area.
