The table
below presents views of a variety of artifacts from ancient Mesoamerica.
All the objects are from east of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. These
items are intended to convey some of the material culture of the high civilizations
during the prehistoric era. Artifacts from west of the Isthmus are featured
in the next page. Each thumbnail photo is a link to a larger version
of the same photograph.
The Cannibalism
Paradigm: Assessing Contact Period Ethnohistorical Discourse
Teotihuacan Mural Art: Assessing the Accuracy of its Interpretation
Mesoamerican Archaeoastronomy:
Contemporary Understandings of Prehispanic Astronomic Knowledge |
The Madrid Codex is one of four surviving Mayan screen fold books.
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One of the large and impressive stone monoliths from the Classic Maya
pyramid comples of Copán, Honduras. This sculpture is located
in the Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City. Special thanks to the
Instituto Nacional de Antropología é Historía for
permission to photograph.
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This photo shows a section of a wall mural from Bonampak recreated
in the Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City. The entire room, with
colorful painting on all the walls can be seen in a courtyard beside
the museum. The original is much faded by comparison. Special thanks
to the Instituto Nacional de Antropología é Historía
for permission to photograph.
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A stela from La Venta. This is a side panel from a rectangular solid
monolith.
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A small, intricately carved jade plaque in the National Museum in Guatemala
City.
A variety of jade and gold artifacts are housed in a walk-in vault. |
A Quiche burial urn from the Popol Vuh Museum in Guatemala City.
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This large, monolithic stone carving from the Olmec ruin of La Venta
has been relocated to Villa Hermosa.
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A group of small stone carvings in a private collection in Guatemala
City. The earliest style of these Guatemalan hemisphere topped sculptures
have tripod legs. Iconographic associations indicate that the hemispheres
represent the vault of the celestial sphere.
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