Peru, a country rich in gold, silver and other precious metals, has been a treasure trove of artifacts from ancient cultures, whose crafsmanship rivaled that of the Ancient Egyptians and has fascinated archaeologists and historians for over a century since some of the first excavations began. These fantastic pieces are displayed throughoutt museums in Peru like the Larco Museum in Lima, which boasts one of the most extensive and rich collections in the country. However, for a short time, selected artifacts will make an appearance for the first (and possibly last) time in the United States. Peruvian Artifacts at the National Geographic Museum From now until September 14, 2014, the National Geographic Museum of Washington D.C. will have an exhibit of Peruvian artifacts titled “Peruvian Gold: Ancient Treasures Unearthed”, showcasing pieces from pre-Inca cultures. Arranged by Fredrik Hiebert, a National Geographic Archaeology Fellow and guest curator, the exhibit features over 100 objects from national museums throughout Peru. National Geographic has a long history of archaeological discoveries and exploration in Peru, beginning with Hiram Bingham in the early 20th century. This exhibit celebrates that rich relationship that has resulted in the excavation of innumerable treasures and will give visitors the unique chance to see these artifacts in 3-D rather than print on the pages of the magazine. The artifacts that include a variety of gold, silver, ceramics and textiles are from civilizations that existed as far back as 1250BC in Peru. The exhibit highlights two particular pre-Inca cultures from the north of Peru, renowned for their craftsmanship in gold and silver: the Moche and the Sicán. The Moche were one of the most important pre-Inca civilizations that developed on the northern coast of Peru between the 1st  century BC to the 8th century AD whose pyramids and temples contain murals, artifacts