America

The America collection brings together more than 40,000 works presenting a panorama of the different civilizations that developed from Alaska in the north to Tierra del Fuego in the south over a period of 5,000 years. The rich collections of the Museum provide a picture of that multiplicity and offer the visitor a broad survey of the pre-Columbian civilizations. Besides the items from well-know cultures, such as the Mayas, the Aztecs and the Incas, are others that demonstrate the mastery and expertise of anonymous artists from less well-known societies. Furthermore, the variety of materials on which these veritable masterpieces appear shows with what skill these artists were able to handle gold, clay, wood, stone and textiles.

In the nine renovated rooms dedicated to the ancient cultural expressions of the indigenous peoples of Central and South America (official opening on 12.10.2024), the geographical, cultural and chronological overview has been retained as the main focus and has been updated with new objects and information on various themes such as the ball game, rituals and sacrifices, Mayan writing, the Aztec calendar and Moche vases.

After a two-year absence for renovation, the figurine that was the model for the Tintin album ‘The Broken Ear’ is back on display, just like the mummy from which Hergé drew inspiration for his character Rascar Capac in the album ‘The Seven Crystal Balls’. The mummy is now exhibited alongside the grave goods it was discovered with. The new display also presents some objects from the Dutch couple Heggen-Van der Giessen's recent bequest to the museum. Among the other masterpieces that can be seen are the oldest Inuit kayak in the world, as well as the life-size, terracotta seated figure from El Zapotal in Mexico, the Mochica ceramics from Peru and much more.