Mexico


Mexico City


National Anthropological Museum






 

Summary The National Anthropological Museum, with its iconic umbrella-shaped central courtyard is one of the most important museums in the world which is dedicated to Mesoamerican cultures. It houses an extensive collection of artifacts of the civilizations that shaped Mexico’s history, including the Olmecs, Aztecs, Maya, Toltecs, Zapotecs, and Mixtecs.

 
Originating in 1825, when the first Mexican president, Guadalupe Victoria, (1786 –1843) established the National Mexican Museum as an autonomous institution. In 1865, the museum was moved by the Emperor Maximilian (1832 -1867) and in 1910 the museum was renamed the National Museum of Archaeology, History and Ethnography. Over the years the stock of exhibits grew and by 1924 it had increased to 52,000 objects.

It acquired its present name in 1939 and in December 1940, the museum was divided again, with its historical collections being moved to the Chapultepec Castle, which is located on top of Chapultepec Hill in Mexico City, where they formed the Museo Nacional de Historia. This focused on the Viceroyalty of the New Spain and its progress towards modern Mexico. The collection that remained was renamed the National Museum of Anthropology, and this focused on pre-Columbian Mexico and modern day Mexican ethnography, (ethnography is a branch of anthropology and the systematic study of individual cultures.)

Today, the Mexico City Anthropology Museum, officially known as the Museo Nacional de Antropología, is one of the most renowned museums in the world. Opening officially on September 17, 1964, it has subsequently become a symbol of Mexico's cultural heritage, showcasing Mexico's rich pre-Columbian heritage through its collection of over 600,000 archaeological and anthropological artifacts.

Approaching the building visitors are struck by the large bronze head placed upside down; While by the entrance is another, this time laying on its side, both sculptures are by Mexican artist Jorge Marín. 

 

Set in a modern architecturally designed building, the museum contains a unique feature in its central courtyard called the "El Paraguas" (The Umbrella). This gigantic concrete umbrella designed by Pedro Ramírez Vázquez, Rafael Mijares, and Jorge Campuzano, is supported by a single pillar.
 

The Central Hall often features temporary exhibits. From there, the museum branches into various display rooms, dedicated to different cultures of pre-Columbian civilizations. 





The museum's layout is designed to guide visitors through the 23 exhibition halls displaying Mexico's history and cultural heritage from pre-Columbian times to the present.

The Museum contains the world's largest collection of ancient Mexican art and exhibits relating to Mexico's heritage from parts of buildings to Jewelry.
 

The Mexica Hall features artifacts from the Aztec civilization, highlighting their culture and achievements.

 

The Aztecs were a powerful Mesoamerican civilization that thrived in central Mexico from the 14th to the early 16th century. Their empire was centered around their capital city, Tenochtitlán, located on an island in Lake Texcoco, which is now Mexico City. A model of which can be seen in the Mexica Hall.

 

The Aztecs were known for their advanced agricultural techniques, including chinampas (floating gardens), and their impressive architecture, such as the Templo Mayor in Tenochtitlán.

The Aztec society was highly organized, with a strict hierarchy that included nobles, priests, warriors, and commoners. Their religion was polytheistic, worshiping gods like Huitzilopochtli, the god of war and the sun, and Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent. Rituals often included human sacrifices, which were believed to appease the gods and ensure the continuation of the world.

The Chac Mool statue depicts a reclining figure with its head turned 90 degrees to the side, with a bowl or disk on its stomachs. The statues are thought to represent slain warriors offering sacrifices to the gods, with the bowls used to hold offerings like food, incense, or even human hearts.

 

The Aztec Empire expanded through military conquest and alliances, dominating much of Mesoamerica until the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors led by Hernán Cortés in 1519. The empire fell in 1521 after the Spanish captured Tenochtitlán.

One of the most famous item on display in the Mexica Hall is the Sun Stone, also known as the "Aztec Calendar Stone" or "Piedra del Sol," which is one of the most iconic artifacts of the Mexica civilization. 

 

This monolithic sculpture, carved from basalt, measures about 3.6 meters (12 feet) in diameter and weighs over 24 tons. It was created during the reign of Moctezuma II, between 1502 and 1520. The stone is intricately carved with symbols representing the Mexica's cosmological beliefs, including their understanding of time, the universe, and their gods. At its center is the face of Tonatiuh, the sun god, surrounded by glyphs that depict the five eras or "suns" of Mexica mythology.

The Sun Stone was rediscovered in 1790 near the Zócalo officially known as Plaza de la Constitución, which is the main square in the heart of Mexico City. 

The square is surrounded by iconic landmarks, including the Metropolitan Cathedral and the National Palace.  It's a fascinating artifact that offers a glimpse into the astronomical and cultural knowledge of the Mexica people.
The hall also includes the Stone of Tizoc, a large basalt monolith, created around the 1480s, it was used to place the heart of sacrificed victims that allowed blood to flow along a groove. It features intricate carvings, including a sun-disk on its top surface and a frieze around its edge depicting Aztec warriors and their conquests.
 

It also contains numerous other objects like pottery, tools, and ceremonial artifacts that reveal how the Mexica lived, worshiped, and governed.  

Also to be seen are a number of codices which are manuscripts typically made of folded sheets of paper, parchment, or bark. Codices were used by the Aztecs and Maya, to record history, rituals, laws, and knowledge. Most Aztec and Maya codices were destroyed by Spanish conquerors, but a handful survived, and a number are on display.

 

The feathered headdress displayed is a replica of an iconic Aztec artifact known as the "Penacho of Moctezuma II" that was created in 1940. The original headdress, believed to date back to the early 16th century, is made from vibrant bird feathers, gold and gilded brass. The original headdress is housed in the Weltmuseum in Vienna, Austria. 

 

The Maya Hall is dedicated to the Maya civilization, which was one of the most advanced and enduring cultures of Mesoamerica, flourishing from around 2000 BCE to the Spanish conquest in the 16th century. They inhabited regions that now include southeastern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and parts of Honduras and El Salvador.

The Maya are renowned for their achievements in astronomy, mathematics, and writing. They developed a sophisticated hieroglyphic script, the most advanced writing system in pre-Columbian Americas, and created highly accurate calendars based on their understanding of celestial movements.
Their cities, such as Tikal, Chichen Itza, and Palenque, were architectural marvels, featuring grand pyramids, palaces, and ceremonial platforms. The Maya also excelled in art, producing intricate carvings, pottery, and murals.





The mask of Chac is from a temple at Kabah in Yucatan.  The artifact symbolises the nose of Chac, similar to an elephant's trunk.

 

Despite a decline in many of their city-states around the 9th century CE, the Maya people and their culture persist to this day. Millions of Maya descendants still live in Central America, preserving their languages and traditions.

The Hall itself includes re-creations of archaeological elements, such as murals and tombs. It also showcases the Maya's achievements in astronomy, mathematics, architecture, and art.

Initially established during the Pre-Classic period (c. 2,000 BCE to 250 CE), the Mayan reached their height during the Classic Period (150 to 900CE), and continued throughout the Post-Classic period until the arrival of the Spanish. The Maya civilization shares many features with other Meso-American civilizations due to the high degree of interaction that was prominent throughout the region. Advances such as writing and the calendar did not originate with the Maya; however, their civilization did develop them.

One of the highlights of the Maya Hall is the displays relating to King K'inich Janaab' Pakal (known as Pakal the Great) (603 – 683 CE)), and the finds from Palenque. These were discovered in 1952, by Mexican archaeologist Alberto Ruz Lhuillier within the Temple of the Inscriptions in Palenque, Mexico.  The tomb contained the remains of Pakal, and it was the first time that a burial had been discovered within a Mexican pyramid.

From the museum's Maya Hall, descend a flight of stairs to a recreation of Pakal's burial chamber. It displays a tomb containing hieroglyphics, which tell the family history of Pakal. A large, intricately carved stone slab covers the tomb.  Discovered within the tomb were the undisturbed remains of the king.

 

Also on display is the green Jade burial mask of Pakal. When it was found it was in more than 340 pieces, which were subsequently reassembled.
With the mask were found numerous other objects included jade necklaces, bracelets, and other ornaments.

 

A stucco sculpture, found in the burial chamber, is thought to be a portrait of Pakal.

 

The Hall also displays Stelae which are monumental stone slabs with carvings that document Maya history, mythology, and achievements. Also displayed are Glyphic inscriptions which offer an insight into their advanced calendar system and hieroglyphic script.
 


Another item of note on display are the goals relating to the Mesoamerican ball game, which came from Chichen Itza. 


 

The Oaxaca Hall displays artifacts from the Zapotec and Mixtec cultures, highlighting the contributions of the those civilizations such as writing systems, codices, gold ornaments, and intricate carvings. 

The Zapotec civilization, known as the "Cloud People," flourished in the Valley of Oaxaca in southern Mexico from around 700 BCE to 1521 CE. They were one of the most influential Mesoamerican cultures, leaving a lasting legacy in art, architecture, and writing.

Their capital city, Monte Albán, was one of the first major urban centers in Mesoamerica, featuring monumental buildings, ball courts, and intricate tombs. The Zapotecs developed a hieroglyphic writing system and a calendar, showcasing their intellectual achievements. They were also skilled in agriculture, engineering, and trade, connecting with other civilizations like the Olmecs and Maya.

The Zapotec society was hierarchical, with nobility believed to have divine origins. Their religion was polytheistic, and they built elaborate temples to honor their gods. Despite their decline after the Spanish conquest, the Zapotec culture continues to thrive, with many descendants preserving their traditions and languages.

The Mixtecs, known as the "People of the Rain," thrived in the region of Oaxaca, Puebla, and Guerrero in southern Mexico. Their culture dates back to around 1500 BCE and continued until the Spanish conquest in the 16th century.

The Mixtecs were renowned for their artistry, particularly in metalworking, jewelry, and pottery. They created intricate codices, which are screen-folded books that depict their history, mythology, and genealogies. 

The hall also features items from Monte Albán and Mitla, two significant archaeological sites in Oaxaca.

The Toltec Room is dedicated to the Toltec civilization which played a significant role in Mesoamerican history during the Postclassic period and their influence on Mesoamerican culture including the Aztecs.


The Toltecs thrived from around 950 to 1150 CE in central Mexico. Their capital city, Tollan (modern-day Tula), was a hub of culture and innovation. The Toltecs were known for their impressive architecture, including pyramids, columns, and statues, as well as their artistic craftsmanship in pottery and metalwork.

The Toltecs played a significant role in shaping the cultural and religious practices of later civilizations, such as the Aztecs, who revered them as intellectual and cultural pre-decessors. The Toltec ruler from the 10th century CE, Ce Acatl Topiltzin Quetzalcoatl, is remembered for promoting peace, prosperity, and cultural advancements, including arts and spirituality. He is particularly notable, as he was associated with the god Quetzalcoatl, the Feathered Serpent.

Their influence extended beyond central Mexico, with connections to other civilizations like the Maya, evident in architectural similarities between Tollan and Chichén Itzá.

Items displayed in the Hall include those that provide an insight into their daily life and rituals and include stone sculptures and representations of Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent deity.


Teotihuacan Hall focuses on the ancient Mesoamerican city of Teotihuacan. This hall displays items like pottery, sculptures, and murals that provide insight into this influential civilization.

Teotihuacan was one of the largest and most influential cities in the Americas during its peak. The hall provides insights into the city's architecture, scale models of the Pyramid of the Sun and Pyramid of the Moon, which provides insights into the city's monumental architecture. 

Within the hall is a life-size reconstruction of a portion of Teotihuacan’s Temple of the Feathered Serpent, which is renowned for its intricate carvings and historical significance and shows its vibrant murals. 

 

Teotihuacan, meaning "The City of the Gods" in Nahuatl, which was the primary language of the Aztecs, was one of the most influential cities in Mesoamerica. Located about 30 miles (50 km) northeast of modern-day Mexico City, it flourished between 100 BCE and 750 CE. At its peak, it was one of the largest cities in the world, with a population of around 125,000–200,000 people.

The city is renowned for its monumental architecture, including the Pyramid of the Sun, the Pyramid of the Moon, and the Temple of Quetzalcoatl, also known as the Temple of the Feathered Serpent. It was a major economic, religious, and cultural hub, with trade networks extending across Mesoamerica. The city's decline around 750 CE is thought to have been caused by internal unrest or external invasions.

Teotihuacan's influence persisted long after its fall, as later civilizations like the Aztecs revered it as a sacred site.

The religion of Teotihuacán included the practice of human sacrifice.  Within the Temple of the Feathered Serpent, archaeologists found the remains of decapitated sacrificial victims.  A reconstruction of the excavation is on display in the museum.





The Olmecs were one of the earliest known civilizations in Mesoamerica and flourished from around 1200 BCE to 400 BCE in what is now southern Mexico. 

The Olmecs are famous for their monumental stone sculptures, especially the colossal heads, carved from basalt. These are believed to represent rulers or important figures and each weighing up to 20 tons and being over 8 feet tall.

 


Their artefacts also includes intricate jade masks and figurines, showcasing their advanced craftsmanship. They played a significant role in shaping later Mesoamerican cultures, influencing practices like ritual bloodletting, the Mesoamerican ballgame, and pyramid construction.