some 3 000 years old God of Sun mask
THe legendary Inca gold hidden somewhere deep in Amazonian Forest still awaits for its discoverer.
But the vast territories of South Africa hide much more artefacts of unknown origins.
With the time archaeologists uncover new advanced civilizations, which thousands years ago inhabited the area of present Ecuador and surrounding countries.
The Archeological Museum, a part of Ecuadorian House of Culture in Quito displays over 1800 pieces created by the cultures that developed in Ecuador in pre-Columbian times.
The oldest items in the collection are ceramic pieces almost six thousand years old from the settlements of culture called Valdivia stretching along the Ecuadorial coast.
About four thousand years ago the settlement located near present Cuenca, called Cerro Narro became the important trade centre.
The impressive golden mask of God Sun [photo above], which is today a symbol of Banco Central is the work of culture La Tolita from the shore between Ecuador and Columbia.
Several other following tribes also left the important artefacts, but their existence has been broken by Inca’s expansion in the mid 15th century.
The astonishing Inca Gold is displayed in the separate section - Hall of Gold.
On display are the religious symbols and upper class jewelry :masks, nose pendants, rings, earrings and ornaments in gold and platinum,
as well as artefacts of everyday use such as golden needles, fish hooks and depilatory tweezers.
The tour starts from the pick-up from your hotel ( or nearby place ) and you will be taken to the museum in a private air-conditioned vehicle.
After a guided tour with an English-speaking guide you will be dropped back at your hotel.
Duration
3 hours
Tour commences
Daily ( Tue-Sun )
Start
09:00 am or 03:00 pm
Price
from $ 62.50