The Chinchorro culture practiced artificial mummification at least 2,000 years before the ancient Egyptians.
The site was discovered accidentally during urban construction work in the center of Arica.
The museum covers a burial area that shows a sequence of different mummification techniques over several centuries.
The remains are preserved in situ, meaning they have not been moved from the exact spot where they were buried.
Museo de Sitio Colón 10 is an archaeological site museum built directly over the excavated remains of a Chinchorro culture burial ground. It preserves in situ mummified remains dating back thousands of years, representing one of the world's oldest artificial mummification traditions. The site functions as a protective enclosure designed to maintain environmental conditions for the fragile pre-Columbian human remains. Visitors walk along elevated platforms that allow direct viewing of the excavation pits and funerary bundles. The museum provides context on the maritime lifestyle and complex social organization of the Chinchorro people who inhabited the Atacama coast. It is currently one of the key sites associated with the Chinchorro culture's status as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The elevated walkway provides a clear, high-angle view of the primary excavation pit showing the layout of the tombs.
Wear light clothing as the enclosure can get warm during the afternoon.
Consult the UNESCO Chinchorro site documentation beforehand to better understand the significance of the burial techniques on display.
Bring a camera without flash, as photography is strictly regulated to protect the organic materials.
Do not attempt to touch the barriers or lean over the viewing platforms, as strict conservation protocols are in place.
Closed on Mondays; occasionally closed for specialized maintenance of the environmental control systems.
No flash photography is permitted; maintain a quiet demeanor as the site is considered a sacred burial ground.
