Museo Arqueológico Padre le Paige

Frommer's Review

This museum near the plaza displays one of South America's most fascinating collections of pre-Columbian artifacts, gathered by Padre le Paige, a Belgian missionary. The Atacama Desert is so arid that most artifacts are notably well preserved, including hundreds of ceramics, textiles, tablets used for the inhalation of hallucinogens, tools, and more, all displayed according to time period. However, the unquestionable highlights here are the well-preserved mummies, including "Miss Chile," a female mummy that still has bits of skin and hair intact, and the creepy display of skulls that shows how the elite once used cranial deformation as a show of wealth. The museum recently opened an Atacama art exhibition hall.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.