Museo Cao in La Libertad, Peru – Museum Information

Museo Cao, located in the Chicama Valley northwest of Trujillo, Peru, is a significant archaeological museum highlighting the Moche or Mochica culture, which thrived from 100 to 700 AD. The museum features a well-curated collection of artifacts, including funerary goods associated with the ruling class, and offers tours that typically last around one to two hours. Visitors can explore seven exhibition rooms that present the history and cosmology of the Moche civilization, including bilingual information in Spanish and English as well as audio guides available for download.

Among the museum’s notable exhibits is the Dama de los Tatuajes, a tattooed mummy dating back to 450 AD, along with other artifacts such as a wooden statue adorned with gold. The displays reflect the intricate cultural practices of the Moche society, complete with showcases of copper and gold funerary items that illustrate the social hierarchy of the time. The museum not only serves as a window into ancient Peruvian life but also emphasizes the ongoing archaeological work in the area, promising further discoveries in the future.