Cuenca: Pumapungo Museum Guided Tour

This guided cultural tour in Cuenca, Ecuador, reveals prehistoric tools, indigenous history, and Amazonian ethnography, suited for history and anthropology enthusiasts.

Highlights

• Discover the origins of pottery in Ecuador and the Spondylus Princeps shell
• Learn about the indigenous origins of Cuenca and its conquest by the Inca
• Explore the Paleolithic gallery with stone and bone tools from 10,000 years ago
• See life-size scenes of the Ecuadorian Amazon and learn about its culture
• Gain insight into the ritual process and cultural significance of tsantsas (shrunken heads)

Description

Begin your tour at the Paleolithic gallery to observe ancient stone and bone tools used by humans over 10,000 years ago. Continue to explore the origins of pottery in Ecuador and the sacred ritual use of the Spondylus Princeps shell, an important symbol in ancient cultures.

Next, visit the open-air area featuring the Dwelling of the Virgins of the Sun, where the indigenous roots of Cuenca and its conquest by the Inca Empire are explained.

Conclude your visit with an ethnographic journey through the Ecuadorian Amazon, recreated with life-size scenes. The tour includes a respectful presentation of tsantsas, detailing their ritual process and cultural significance.

Includes

• Paleolithic gallery visit
• Origins of pottery in Ecuador
• Explanation of the Spondylus Princeps shell ritual
• Dwelling of the Virgins of the Sun
• History of Cuenca and the Inca Empire
• Ecuadorian Amazon ethnographic journey
• Life-size cultural scenes
• Shrunken human heads (tsantsas) display with respectful explanation
• Creation of metallic objects
• Head-deformation rituals

Important Information

• The tour includes a respectful explanation of the shrunken human heads (tsantsas) and their cultural context.

Cancellation Policy

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

For the best experience, bring comfortable walking shoes and visit during morning hours when the site is less crowded.