Puerto Rico’s Museo del Indio in San Juan
If you have been around the island and discovered some of the amazing Taino Indian treasures that can be found here, your curiosity for this people and its culture has likely grown. Who were these people and how did they live? Were they the only inhabitants of the island or were there others? Did they communicate with other tribes from surrounding islands and with those from the mainland? While the Museo Del Indio cannot answer all these questions, it certainly does give visitors a small glimpse into the lives of the Taíno Indians that once populated Puerto Rico.
Located at 119 San José – which is where San José and Luna meet – in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the Indian Museum of Puerto Rico (or Museo del Indio as locals call it) is a delight for any history enthusiast. Its core focus is on the Taíno Indians who were the original inhabitants of Puerto Rico and the museum’s exhibits feature numerous Indian artifacts that have been uncovered during excavations which have been conducted all around the island. The majority of the relics date from between the 13th and 15th centuries and they take the form of stone tools, pottery and other artifacts. Many of the items on display were used in the day-to-day life of these early peoples and so they provide interesting insight into their daily activities. The museum is a great place for visitors to get more familiar with the early history of Puerto Rico and its inhabitants. While a number of the items on display can be seen at various Indian sites around the Island, the way they are presented and put together and the museum is a treat.
Access to the museum is free and it is open daily between 09:00 and 16:30. In addition to the many excellent displays, the museums often houses photographic exhibitions and dioramas. The Indian Museum is especially well noted for its fine collection of cemies. These are small stone gods that were once used in worship by the Taíno Indians. So visit the Museo Del Indio the next time you visit Puerto Rico and learn more about these early inhabitants of this great island.
