MUSEO DE ARQUEOLOGIA DE ALTA MONTAÑA (MAAM)
Interactive, mountain-style museum featuring well-preserved, cryogenically preserved children's mummies
A must-see in Salta! From the very first exhibition room, this museum plunges visitors into the world of the Inca Andes, with its icy, interactive high-mountain ambience. First, we discover the Andes mountain range, its peaks and, above all, the pre-Columbian life that existed here. The Salta altiplano region was on the famous Inca route, the Qhapaq Ñan, which linked Machu Picchu near Cuzco, capital of the Empire, to all regions of the kingdom, from Colombia to Argentinean and Chilean Patagonia. Here, we discover the lives of the pre-Incan peoples in the region, the Atacamas (named after the Chilean desert) and Calchaquíes (named after the nearby valley towards Cachi and Cafayate).
The highlight of the visit is the exhibition of mummies of children sacrificed according to Inca rituals, found at an altitude of over 6,700 metres, on the Llullaillaco volcano, one of the highest-lying sacred sanctuaries in the Inca kingdom. Of the 3 that belong to the museum (two girls and a boy), only one is exhibited, in turn. They are extremely well preserved, and have been cryogenically frozen for conservation and display. On display are the extremely well-preserved small Inca amulets found in tombs, the illas, dedicated to human or animal divinities.
One room is dedicated to the Reina del Cerro, whose tomb was looted by thieves.
There is also a small souvenir store.
Did you know? This review was written by our professional authors.
Book the Best Activities with Get Your Guide
Members' reviews on MUSEO DE ARQUEOLOGIA DE ALTA MONTAÑA (MAAM)
The ratings and reviews below reflect the subjective opinions of members and not the opinion of The Little Witty.
Très intéressant, les momies des enfants retrouvés qu'on peux voir à la fin sont dans un état de conservation exceptionnel. Immanquable !!
Find unique Stay Offers with our Partners
Le plus impressionnant est l'exposition des momies des enfants du Llullaillaco, sacrifiés selon un ancien rituel inca. Le musée explique pourquoi les Incas faisaient un tel rituel et le parcours des enfants sur plusieurs centaines de kilomètres.