MUNA Exhibition Spotlights Legacy of Archaeologist Luis Diego Cuscoy
The Museum of Nature and Archaeology in Tenerife is hosting a new exhibition featuring digitized photography and virtual reality to celebrate the legacy of archaeologist Luis Diego Cuscoy.
Luis Diego Cuscoy, a key figure in understanding the Canary Islands' pre-Hispanic history, is back in the spotlight. From July 29 to October 30, the Museum of Nature and Archaeology (MUNA) in Santa Cruz de Tenerife will host an exhibition celebrating his work as a visual chronicler. This event, part of the EnSeñas Patrimonio program, is an updated version of a 2019 exhibition, now featuring newly digitized photos from his personal archive that offer a fresh look at 20th-century island life.
The exhibition goes beyond traditional displays by using virtual reality and tactile tools to bring history to life. A highlight is the recreation of the Cueva de Uchova archaeological site, where visitors can experience a funerary ritual based on Cuscoy’s own research. These technologies help make his decades of fieldwork more accessible, showcasing his legacy not just as an academic, but as a keen observer of local traditions, architecture, and daily life.
The exhibition opens this Wednesday at 12:00 p.m. with a lecture by curator Juan Francisco Navarro, titled Luis Diego Cuscoy: Investigator of the Guanche, Spectator of His Time. The talk will explore the many sides of Cuscoy, who served as the first director of the Archaeological Museum of Tenerife in 1958 and was also a teacher, poet, and commentator.
The exhibition features 66 photographs divided into five themes, documenting the evolution of local farming, folklore, and crafts. Miguel Ángel Clavijo, the Director General of Culture and Cultural Heritage, noted that the event is especially meaningful because it brings Cuscoy’s photographic collection back to the museum he once led.
Admission to the exhibition is free until the museum reaches capacity. MUNA is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and on Sundays and holidays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The retrospective honors a pioneer of archaeology while highlighting how digital preservation is essential for protecting our historical memory.