Museu de Arqueologia e Etnologia (Archaeology and Ethnology Museum)

Museu de Arqueologia e Etnologia (Archaeology and Ethnology Museum) Review

Built in 1755 and just recently renovated, the Museu de Arqueologia e Etnologia (MAE) occupies a building that was part of a Jesuit school. The Jesuits left around 1768 when the Marques de Pombal from Portugal, trying to curb the power of the Catholic church, had them expelled from the Portuguese kingdom (which included Brazil at that time). The collection includes pieces found in excavations in the area, most belonging to the Sambaqui, a coastal-dwelling native people, as well as other native peoples of Paraná such as the Kaigang and Guarani. The museum also hosts many temporary art exhibits.