Machu Picchu Museum Casa Concha in Cusco: the pieces returned by Yale

In central Cusco there's a museum with a very special story: that of the objects taken from Machu Picchu over a century ago which, after decades abroad, returned to Peru. The Machu Picchu Museum, in Casa Concha, brings together ceramics, tools, metal objects and remains studied by scientists, and explains how the citadel was revealed to the modern world and what we know today about the people who lived there. If you're visiting Machu Picchu, it's the perfect complement before or after the trip.

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The story of the pieces

Between 1911 and 1915, expeditions led by American explorer Hiram Bingham, backed by Yale University, excavated at Machu Picchu and its surroundings. Thousands of objects and remains were taken to the United States for study. For decades Peru sought their return, until in 2010 an agreement was reached between the Peruvian government, Yale and the National University of San Antonio Abad of Cusco. The pieces came back in several shipments from 2011, the centenary of Bingham's arrival, and part of them is shown in this museum.

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Where it is

Casa Concha is a colonial mansion on Santa Catalina Ancha street, a few minutes' walk from the Plaza de Armas towards Qorikancha. Like many central mansions, it keeps Inca walls at its base, a courtyard with galleries and wooden balconies. The museum is run by the National University of San Antonio Abad of Cusco, which also manages the Inka Museum.

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What the galleries show

• Ceramics: vessels, aríbalos and plates found at the citadel, showing imperial Inca style and its inhabitants' daily life.
• Metal objects: tools, ornaments and pieces in bronze and other metals.
• Stone and bone: tools, needles and everyday objects.
• Human remains and scientific studies: what analysis has revealed about the diet, health and origins of the people who lived at Machu Picchu, many of whom came from different regions of the empire.
• Photographs and documents from the expeditions, showing the vegetation-covered citadel in the early 20th century.
• Models and audiovisual material that explain how the site was organised.

Why it's worth it

At Machu Picchu you'll see the architecture but almost no objects: everything found there is in museums. This visit fills that gap and helps you imagine life at the citadel: what people ate, what they used, who they were. The story of the pieces' return is also an important chapter in the recovery of Peru's heritage and is clearly told.

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Practical information

• Entry: its own ticket, not included in the Cusco Tourist Ticket. Prices may change; check at the desk or official channels.
• Hours: usually open Monday to Saturday during the day, with possible holiday changes. Confirm before you go.
• Time: about an hour.
• Languages: panels in Spanish and English.
• Photos: follow each room's signs.

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Before or after Machu Picchu?

Both work. Going before gives you context for the citadel and helps you choose a circuit. Going after has its charm: you'll recognise places in the photos and models, and the objects make more sense. If you're short on time in Cusco, it fits well on your arrival afternoon while you acclimatise.

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How to combine it

• With Qorikancha, a few blocks away in the same area.
• With the Inka Museum and the Pre-Columbian Art Museum for a full museum morning.
• With the Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral.

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Other Machu Picchu museums

Near the citadel, on the outskirts of Aguas Calientes, there's a site museum devoted to Machu Picchu, with information on its construction and natural setting, plus a botanical garden. If you have time before your return train, it's a good visit; check current hours and payment options.

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Visiting tips

• Start with the room on the expeditions: understanding how and when the pieces left makes the rest of the visit more meaningful.
• Look at the old photographs and compare them with your own photos of the citadel.
• With kids, the models are usually what grabs their attention.
• Pair the visit with a coffee or a rest in the centre before walking on, as the altitude is tiring.

Notice: This guide shares advice and recommendations based on research and local experience. Prices, opening hours and rules may change: always check with official sources and operators. Cusco Tips is not responsible for third-party services, bookings or decisions made using these guides; some links are affiliate links (see our affiliate policy).