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Date：2026-07-09 - 2027-11-14
Location：The Shanghai Museum on People's Square, 1F-3F
Advisors：Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism, Shanghai Municipal Administration of Cultural Heritage
Organizers：The Shanghai Museum, Gobierno de México｜Secretaría de Cultura｜INAH, Ministerio de Cultura del Perú
Special Support：Huangpu District People's Government of Shanghai Municipality, Shanghai Landscaping and City Appearance Administrative Bureau, Shanghai Media Group, Hunan Broadcasting System, Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Mexico, Embassy of the United Mexican States in China, Consulate General of Mexico in Shanghai, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Peru, Embassy of the Republic of Peru in China, Consulate General of Peru in Shanghai
General Preface
The world resembles a tree, with its roots plunging deep into the past, its branches upholding the present, and its canopy stretching toward the eternal heavens. This is not mere poetic fantasy, but the vision of the cosmos held by the ancestors of the American continent thousands of years ago—a worldview that is both simple and sophisticated.
Often dubbed "mysterious" and "primitive", this continent is rarely seen for what it truly is: a home to fully developed and coherent indigenous civilizations, complete with a mature system of hieroglyphs, magnificent pyramids, the invention of the mathematical concept of zero, precise calendars, and vigesimal numeration… Far from being a peripheral land, the Americas stand as an independent and brilliant branch of the great lineage of human civilization.
Despite a great distance between China and the Americas, a deeper tracing of our origins reveals a shared ancestry. The ancient civilizations of China and the Americas both arose from the same human origin, unfolding across different times and places. Since the dawn of the 21st century, China and Latin America have opened up a remarkable new chapter of shared destiny. The year 2026 marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Peru, while 2027 will commemorate the same milestone in China-Mexico relations. As cultural exchanges enter a golden age, now is the perfect moment to delve into the ancient civilizations of the Americas. To this end, we have collaborated with leading cultural institutions and esteemed scholars from Mexico, Peru, and China to bring together nearly 3,000 exquisite artifacts in 1,129 sets. Together, they present a systematic survey of the Olmec, Maya, Teotihuacan, Aztec, and Andean civilizations, offering a panoramic view of the civilizational tapestry of ancient Central and South America. Our goal is to curate an exhibition unprecedented in scale, distinction, narrative scope, and scholarly currency—the most ambitious presentation of ancient American civilizations ever staged in the world.
The exhibition has two parts. The "Sacred Space and Cyclical Time", staged on the first and second floors, takes the cosmology of the Mesoamerican World Tree as the guiding thread, inviting its visitors into a spiritual realm structured around this arboreal axis of the cosmos. The "Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru" on the third floor showcases the dazzling achievements and distinctive order of the Andean civilizations through its gold and silver artifacts. These two parts resonate with each other, jointly facilitating a dialogue of civilizations that transcends time and space beneath the canopy of this invisible giant tree. It is also noteworthy that precious artifacts from cultural institutions across seven Chinese provinces are to be displayed alongside treasures from the Americas. This juxtaposition illustrates vividly archaeological and anthropological observations regarding the "Maya-China Continuum", embodying a heartfelt embrace of the China-Latin America community with a shared future.
May this cultural feast, spanning 20,000 kilometers, foster connection and understanding among people from different civilizations. In a world of diversity, and yet fraught with divisions and conflicts, let us reach deep into the wellsprings of human civilization to rediscover the power of harmony and unity. This is far more than an exhibition; it is the Shanghai Museum's invitation to its visitors from around the world to ascend to the "Top of the World Tree" and embark on a genuinely once-in-a-lifetime journey. Through mutual contemplation and dialogue, may we enjoy its grandeur and profundity and go on to compose an illuminous chapter where beauty, in all its modes and manifestations, is respected and shared.
Chu Xiaobo
Director of the Shanghai Museum
General Preface
Archaeology is not merely the study of vestiges of the past; it is the scientific reconstruction of the processes that endow our present with meaning. For the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), the presentation of this monumental exhibition devoted to the Olmec, Teotihuacan, Maya, and Mexica cultures represents the culmination of decades of research, conservation, and exacting technical endeavor—an endeavor that commences in the depths of archaeological sites and reaches its fulfillment in the museum galleries of the world.
To know the past is an ethical imperative of modern societies. The works assembled in this exhibition have been rescued from the earth's depths through rigorous methodologies that seek to preserve not merely the object, but its context and its history. It is the labor of INAH's archaeologists, restorers, historians, and curators that enables these pieces—from the colossal Olmec heads, the enigmatic calligraphies of the Maya, the delicate ceramics of Teotihuacan, to the martial aesthetic of the Mexica—to speak for those who created them. This scholarly undertaking ensures that the dissemination of our culture does not remain confined to the surface of aesthetic appreciation, but instead penetrates the social, political, and cosmogonic complexity of these civilizations.
The exhibition is structured with scientific rigor, tracing a horizon that extends from the origins of Mesoamerican civilization to the moment of European contact. Each piece is a historical document; each glyph and relief stands as a testament to the symbolic efficacy of peoples who, like the Mexica, achieved a social cohesion founded upon an unprecedented convergence of religiosity and urbanism. The work of dissemination that brings us together here today is fundamental to the preservation of the world's cultural richness, for what is not known cannot be valued, and what is not valued is condemned to oblivion.
With this exhibition, INAH reaffirms its commitment to the guardianship of national memory. We present to the public a legacy that is the fruit of an unwavering discipline—one in which science is placed at the service of identity. As visitors traverse these galleries, they bear witness to the mysterious unfolding of an ancient art in plastic form, which, thanks to the dedication of heritage professionals, is revisited today with modern eyes—preserving intact its capacity for wonder and its enduring intellectual relevance for humanity.
Joel Omar Vázquez Herrera
Director General of the Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia
General Preface
At a time when dialogue among civilizations is becoming increasingly important for fostering mutual understanding and knowledge among peoples, "On Top of the World Tree: Ancient Civilizations of the Americas" stands as a cultural event of historic significance.
This extraordinary exhibition, bringing together nearly 3,000 objects from the great civilizations of the Andes, Mesoamerica, and China, offers Chinese audiences an unprecedented opportunity to engage with some of the oldest and most sophisticated cultural traditions of the American continent. Its scale, academic rigor, and innovative curatorial approach make it one of the most ambitious exhibitions on American civilizations ever presented in China.
For Peru, it is a source of pride that Andean civilization occupies a central place within this grand continental narrative. Through hundreds of archaeological artefacts of exceptional historical and artistic value—many of them exhibited in China for the first time—visitors will be able to discover the depth, creativity, and complexity of societies that flourished in the Andes for millennia and reached one of their most remarkable expressions in the Inca Empire.
Peru's participation in this exhibition extends beyond the cultural sphere. It also represents an opportunity to strengthen mutual understanding between two nations that recognize themselves as heirs to ancient civilizational traditions. Both China and Peru possess an exceptional historical continuity, a profound appreciation for their heritage, and a shared awareness of the role that culture plays in shaping their future.
In this regard, the exhibition reflects a broader vision of cooperation between our two countries—one based not only on trade, investment, or physical connectivity, but also on the exchange of ideas, values, and historical experiences. Strengthening ties between the Chinese and Andean civilizations contributes to a deeper understanding of our respective societies and helps build an increasingly strong and multidimensional bilateral relationship.
The significance of this exhibition is further enhanced by its coincidence with the celebration of the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Peru and the People's Republic of China. It constitutes a tangible expression of trust, closeness, and shared ambition that currently characterize our bilateral ties.
We are confident that millions of visitors will find in this exhibition not only an opportunity to admire exceptional objects, but also a gateway to discovering one of humanity's great cultural traditions. For contemporary Peru is the heir to a millenary civilization that remains alive through its people, languages, traditions, and creativity.
We hope that this experience will inspire many visitors to deepen their knowledge of Peru, to explore its landscapes and archaeological sites, and to discover firsthand the richness of a culture that, from the Andes, projects itself globally while engaging in dialogue with the world.
Carlos Vásquez
Ambassador of the Republic of Peru to the People's Republic of China
