Home to a precious cultural heritage and more than ten thousand years of history, the Museum of Apaza is one of the major archaeological attractions in the region.
Located about 10km into the Azapa Valley, the museum lies amidst picturesque flora and fauna. Privileged with a favorable climate, you can find unique stone carvings outside of the building, while inside important anthropological relics are displayed. Walking through the museum, you embark on a chronological journey from the epoch of fishermen and hunters, through the time of Chinchorro mummification, and to the days of Aymara shepherds. The exhibition comprises more than twenty thousand pieces, showcasing the development of the local population around three main topics: the ocean and the land, men and agriculture as well as handicraft production, and the magical and religious world. Pictures can be taken with prior authorization of the museum.
The Archaeological Museum of San Miguel de Azapa is especially famous for the collection of Chinchorro mummies, which are globally known for being the oldest mummies in the world. This heritage makes the museum a place that you should not miss out on.