Machu Picchu and the treasures of Peru: an archaeologist explains
Dr Jacob Bongers in the exhibition Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru at the Australian Museum.
Eleven ancient Peruvian civilisations are showcased in Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru, a new exhibition on now until February 2025 at the Australian Museum in Sydney. These include the Chavín, Moche, Chimú, Nazca, Lambayeque and Inca cultures.
Dr Jacob Bongers, an Andean archaeologist from the University of Sydney and a guest expert for the Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires exhibit at the Australian Museum, explains the significance of some of the precious objects on display.
“This exhibit features some of the highest quality pottery and metal objects in the Americas, including portrait vessels and gold and silver crowns, as well as nose and ear ornaments,” Dr Bongers said.
“The technical sophistication of these objects makes some believe that they were produced with the aid of aliens or some mysterious ancient technology. This is not the case. These are true masterpieces that showcase the high levels of craftsmanship among Indigenous communities in ancient Peru. I am so excited that this exhibition brings ancient Peru to the public with over 130 objects from 11 ancient cultures spanning nearly 3000 years.”
Dr Jacob Bongers shares his favourite 5 objects
Dr Bongers noted that, in ancient Peru, art conveyed valuable information about belief systems, identity, and power.
“You will see dramatic scenes of human sacrifice, human-animal composite beings, and even erotic imagery,” he explained. “Art communicated vital information about life and death, which is crucial given the lack of evidence of written language in the pre-Hispanic Andes.”
Treasures from Peru
Dr Bongers also emphasised the importance of considering the environment of ancient Peru when examining artefacts from the region.
“The Andean region is a rich and varied landscape, encompassing coastal, highland, and tropical forest areas. These distinct ecological zones encouraged interaction and exchange of knowledge, giving rise to the vibrant cultures featured in the exhibit.”
Dr Jacob Bongers with a Quipu from Machu Picchu, a device for keeping records.
About Dr Jacob Bongers
Dr Bongers is an anthropological archaeologist with a PhD from the Cotsen Institute of Archaeology at UCLA. He has just been appointed to the position of Tom Austen Brown Postdoctoral Research Associate in Archaeology in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at the University of Sydney. He specialises in digital archaeology including geospatial mapping, drone-based photography and GIS analyses.
Dr Jacob Bongers and a research team carrying out drone mapping and an archaeological survey in the Blue Mountains, Australia. Photo credit: Brad Arsenault.
Dr Bongers’ current research in Peru and Australia uses archaeological science and geospatial technology to enhance understanding of past land-use strategies and how societies adapted to diverse environments through time. He has conducted archaeological fieldwork in Portugal, Chile, Ethiopia, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Tanzania, Australia, and Peru.
Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru is at Sydney’s Australian Museum.
Dr Jacob Bongers will be in conversation with the Australian Museum Chief Scientist, Professor Kris Helgen hosted by ABC Radio National's Natasha Mitchell on Saturday 8 February, 2025. Book here for Conversations of the Golden Empires: Modern Discoveries of an Ancient Land.
Treasures from Machu Picchu and Peru at the Australian Museum, Sydney