Mexico City - National Museum of Anthropology

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National Museum of Anthropology Description

(Local Name: Museo Nacional de Antropologia) The National Museum of Anthropology, one of the most important of its kind in the world, is to be found in the northern section of Chapultepec Park. At the entrance stands a huge monolithic figure hitherto identified as the rain god Tláloc but in fact, according to the latest theories, more probably his sister, the water-goddess Chalchiuhtlicue (Náhuatl, "she of the jade-rock"). This colossal unfinished figure, weighing 167 tonnes, was found near San Miguel Coatlinchán and transported to its present site with the greatest difficulty.

The Museum was designed by Pedro Ramírez Vázquez and built in 1963-64. A strikingly successful example of contemporary

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Hobbies & Activities category: Major world-scale museum; Archeological exhibit, museum; Western hemisphere native art, artifacts

National Museum of Anthropology Highlights

Introduction to Anthropology

Introduction to Anthropology In this room the visitor is given a brief introduction to the study of mankind and allied subjects by means of models, dioramas, maps and drawings.

This room covers

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National Library of Anthropology

The Museum also houses the National Library of Anthropology, founded by Lucas Alamean in 1831 and developed by the Emperor Maximilian; it now has more than 300,000 volumes.

A few years ago the

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Sala Maya

The thieves of Christmas 1985 took a third of their booty from the Maya Room alone, a sign of how attractive this department is. A large proportion of the burial objects from Palenque, including a

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Sala Mexica

This section describes the Aztec culture from the coming of the Chichimecs through to the fall of Tenochtitlán. This room contains the highlight of the collection, the "Stone of the Fifth Sun",

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Sala de Oaxaca

The centre of the Zapotec-Mixtec culture (600 bc-c. ad 1500) was Monte Albán, whence came most of the ceramic and gold objects exhibited. Also displayed is a reproduction of Grave 7 from Monte Albán

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Sala de Prehistoria

The early history of human settlement in America begins with the arrival of Asiatic tribes by way of the Bering Strait. Other subjects covered include the development of the hunting and collecting

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Sala de Teotihuacan

The four phases of the culture of the plateau of Teotihuacán (200 bc-ad 700; see entry) are illustrated by examples of artistic techniques of various kinds, particularly in the field of ceramics

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Sala de Tula

The outstanding example of the culture of the Toltecs from Tula is one of the 4 m (13 ft) high figures of Atlas. Other examples from the classical Toltec period (ad 700-1200) include stelae,

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Sala de las Culturas de Norte

The cultures of the Indians from Northern Mexico are represented by burial objects, everyday utensils, ceramics and various finds from Casas Grandes and La Quemada.

Sala de las Culturas de Occidente

Sala de las Culturas de Occidente Terracotta figures from Jalisco, Nayarit and Colima give a picture of daily life in the period before the arrival of the Spaniards. There is also some Tarascan material.

Sala de las Culturas del Golfo de Mexico

Here can be seen colossal Olmec sculptures standing in the open, Huastec stelae and painted ceramics, hachas (lit. axes; ceremonial objects), yugos and palmas (yokes and palms; stone objects

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Sala del Periodo Preclasico

The pre-Classic or Formative period (1400-300 bc) is illustrated by means of exhibits showing developments in the fields of ceramics and other skills, including in particular some especially good

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Upper Floor

The ethnological collections on the Upper Floor are so arranged that the cultures of the descendants of various extinct peoples are positioned directly above those which they superseded. The

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Address

Museo Nacional de Antropologia
Av. Paseo de la Reforma, Gandhi
Mexico City, Federal District (Distrito Federal)
Mexico

http://www.mna.inah.gob.mx

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