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The National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology is a must-see for anyone interested in Maya art and artifacts. Originals are well displayed. Descriptions are generally sparse and in Spanish, but the works speak for themselves. (Click thumbnails for larger versions) |
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The courtyard is a good place to take a break from browsing |
Incense burner |
This small head reminded me of Olmec art |
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Bearded figure raises questions |
A whistling vase |
Incense burner |
Large mock-up of Tikal site |
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Flute |
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Skull incorporated into pottery vase |
Figure on left reminds me of statues from East Island representing starvation. Right, mushroom motif |
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An original altar from Quirigua |
Carved jade, about the size of a man's hand |
From grave of Tikal Governor Jasaw Chan K'awiil I |
The back of a facade with holes for unknown reason |
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Urn with face emerging from shark |
Bat |
Mock up of Piedras Negras, one of the more recent sites to be intensely excavated |
Steles from Piedras Negras |
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The throne from Piedra Negras |
 The museum has some exhibits of the individual clothing patterns of some of the communities. This is a woman from San Idelfonso Ixlahuacan Huehuetenango |
Maya dress from San Pedro La Laguna, Solola |
Diorama of village festival |
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The Popol Vuh and Ixchel Museum Complex is also worth a visit. |
The Ixchel section, named for the Maya mother goddess, honors the weaving traditions and has a well-stocked gift store. |
The bat, the symbol of Copan, is also featured in the Popol Vuh, the Maya creation story. |
Large frog |
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Dwarf? |
The twins from the Popol Vuh? |
Figurines honoring cacao |
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Above and right are large body-size burial urns. |
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Visit our Mexico web pages and Maya Exploration Center's site ... be sure to check out the links