Chinese tourists travel half a world away to visit Peru. And yet they may find the two ancient cultures do have some things in common. And they even have the chance to come across some relics of China's ancient past. An exhibition at Museo Larco in Peru's capital of Lima is showcasing just that.
Peru is an ancient civilization of South America. The pottery displayed at Museo Larco in Lima dates back to more than 2000 years ago.
Peru is also a multi-ethnic country. Different ethnic groups have different cultural traditions, but they are also interrelated. Experts believe that these characteristics of Peruvian civilization and Chinese civilization are highly similar.
"In Peru's five thousand years of history, different civilizations have developed in different regions: Coastal areas, plain areas or rainforest zones, etc. Each civilization is closely linked with the climate characteristics of the region, but in general they have a common characteristic, and that is the characteristics of agricultural society. For the Peruvian people at the time, the balance of the universe is very important. They respect the sun, rain, stars, the moon and other natural forces. They believed that these forces should maintain a balance, which is very similar to the beliefs of ancient China," Curator Isabel Collazos said.
This similarity between Chinese and Peruvian civilizations is confirmed through this exhibition, which features nearly 100 Chinese cultural antiquities. The exhibits range from 5,000 BC to the Ming and Qing Dynasties, illuminating the long history and colorful civilization of China.
On dispay are the bronze tripods of the Shang and Zhou Dynasties, the Terracotta Warriors of the Qin Shihuang Mausoleum, Han Dynasty Pottery, jade wares and more. It's a feast of relics that has attracted the attention of Peruvian archaeologists and fans of Chinese culture.
"In fact, ancient Chinese culture and our important ancient Inca culture has a similarity, and they also have something in common with the Mayan culture, especially when it comes to the use of jade," Archaeologist Hilda Vidal said.
The exhibition is part of a celebration marking the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Peru. It is co-organized by the Chinese Ministry of Culture, the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, the Chinese Embassy in Peru and the Peruvian Ministry of Culture.
