Mexico City - National Museum of Anthropology

(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 architecture and of notably harmonious effect, it is one of the world's finest museums, with its old Indian art treasures magnificently displayed. A notable feature is the Central Patio, part of which is roofed over by a kind of gigantic stone umbrella, sculpted by José Chávez Morado and borne on a column 11 m (36 ft) high. From the top a continuous curtain of water falls into the basin below, symbolising the eternal cycle of life.

Arrangement

The Museum is divided into two completely separate sections dealing with different aspects. On the ground floor twelve rooms provide an introduction to anthropology and display archaeological finds from extinct Indian cultures, while the upper floor documents the life-styles of contemporary Indian inhabitants of Mexico. Each room is devoted to one centre of culture or group of people.

During the night on Christmas Day 1985 thieves managed to break into the Museum and stole 173 extremely valuable items, including many of the burial objects from Palenque. During a drugs raid in June 1989 most of these pieces were recovered and are once again on view.

In the Entrance Hall the museum shop (salón de venta) on the left sells books, guides, catalogues and reproductions of pre-Columbian objects. In the Sala de Resúmen (Orientation Room) in the centre of the Entrance Hall films and slides on the Museum and its collections are shown. On the right-hand wall is a mural by Rufino Tamayo, depicting a feathered serpent and a jaguar, the two central symbols of the ancient Indian gods. On that side, too, begins the anti-clockwise tour of the Museum, commencing with rooms in which temporary special exhibitions devoted to various aspects of pre-Columbian cultures are held.