archaeology
Pakal the Great: The Maya King Defined by Art and Beauty
Pakal II, also known as Palak the Great, is one of the most recognizable figures in Mesoamerican history, but this has little to do with his military prowess. Pakal II is, without a doubt, the most famous member of the…
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Diego Rivera’s Anahuacalli Archaeological Museum and its New Exhibits
The name Anahuacalli translates from the Nahua languages as “Home of the Anáhuac,” a term that itself means “surrounded by water.” The Anahuacalli Museum, located in the far south of Mexico City, stands as a singular monument to Mexican art and culture. Conceived by the muralist Diego Rivera, the Anahuacalli is a contemporary structure that draws heavily from the architectural traditions of ancient Mesoamerica. In…
Yaxunah’s Popol Nah: Its Fall and Enduring Legacy
In many ways, Yaxunah is a prototypical Maya regional capital; however, several aspects make it unique, for example the Popol Nah.
A Guide to Hecelchakán’s Archaeology Museum and its Remarkable Artifacts
The Museo de Arqueología Maya del Camino Real de Hecelchakán is home to an impressive number of Maya artifacts.
Acanmul: The Overlooked Maya Regional Capital of Coastal Campeche
Acanmul is one of the most splendid off-the-radar archaeological sites on the Yucatán Peninsula. Though it is not exactly remote, being just twenty-five kilometers…
Oxmul’s Survival Hangs in the Balance as Housing Developments Spring Up Around It
The archaeological site of Oxmul is known to very few, but within its necropolis and temples lie keys to a better understanding of the…
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The Dresden Codex, the Great Maya Book of the Stars
The Dresden Codex is a Mayan book believed to be the oldest surviving book written…
The Secrets of Hochob’s Underworld Monster of the Earth Facade
Hochob was founded in the 3rd century CE, but it is likely that the area…
The Lost Sounds of Mesoamerica: What Archaeology Can Tell UsAt theme parks, public plazas and restaurants, people are presented with what performers argue is ancient Mesoamerican music, but is this really the case? The answer: it’s complicated.
Does Mesoamerican really exist? The answer: it’s complicated.
Itzamkanac, the Great Capital of the Chontal Maya
Itzamkanac, also known as El Tigre, was once the great capital of the Maya Acalán-Tixchel…
The Sacred Mountain: A Conceptual Victim of its Own Success?
Before angry emails flood in, let’s clarify. The sacred mountain interpretation isn’t wrong; it’s overly…
Nojpetén, Tayasal, and the Fall of the Last Great Maya City
Nojpetén holds a special place in Mesoamerican history as one of the last Maya polities…
Nuevo León’s First Pre-Hispanic Museum is Great News, But Far From Perfect
The Museo de los Antiguos Mexicanos, which opened in San Pedro Garza García, on the…
Of Serpents and Deities: The Many Meanings of Snakes in Mesoamerica
In the religious and cosmological systems of ancient Mesoamerica, the serpent was a central and…
Top Articles
The Dresden Codex, the Great Maya Book of the Stars
The Dresden Codex is a Mayan book believed to be the oldest surviving book written…
The Secrets of Hochob’s Underworld Monster of the Earth Facade
Hochob was founded in the 3rd century CE, but it is likely that the area…
The Lost Sounds of Mesoamerica: What Archaeology Can Tell UsAt theme parks, public plazas and restaurants, people are presented with what performers argue is ancient Mesoamerican music, but is this really the case? The answer: it’s complicated.
Does Mesoamerican really exist? The answer: it’s complicated.
Itzamkanac, the Great Capital of the Chontal Maya
Itzamkanac, also known as El Tigre, was once the great capital of the Maya Acalán-Tixchel…
The Sacred Mountain: A Conceptual Victim of its Own Success?
Before angry emails flood in, let’s clarify. The sacred mountain interpretation isn’t wrong; it’s overly…
Nojpetén, Tayasal, and the Fall of the Last Great Maya City
Nojpetén holds a special place in Mesoamerican history as one of the last Maya polities…
Nuevo León’s First Pre-Hispanic Museum is Great News, But Far From Perfect
The Museo de los Antiguos Mexicanos, which opened in San Pedro Garza García, on the…
Of Serpents and Deities: The Many Meanings of Snakes in Mesoamerica
In the religious and cosmological systems of ancient Mesoamerica, the serpent was a central and…
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Talking About Maya Trade as Social Force at Palacio Cantón
Trade routes, goods, and the merchants were bound up with politics, cosmology, and everyday ritual…
Understanding the Meaning Behind the Famous Masks at Kohunlich
The era of construction at what today is the archaeological site of Kohunlich spanned well…
How Maya Astronomers Predicted Celestial Events Far into the Future
The Maya of antiquity are well known for their profound interest in the night sky…
8,400 Visitors Witness Kukulcán’s Descent at Chichén Itzá Equinox
More than 8,400 people packed the ancient Maya city of Chichén Itzá on Friday for…
A New Discovery in Ucú Sheds Light on the Early Maya Social Dynamics
A ritual deposit discovered in Yaxché de Peón, in the municipality of Ucú, Yucatán, offers…
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Why Dzibilchaltún and its Temple of the 7 Dolls are Off-Limits for Spring Equinox in 2026
One, maybe two, of Yucatán’s most famous spots for witnessing the Spring Equinox will be closed for the Spring Equinox…El Cementerio: Uxmal’s Newly Accessible Plaza of Skulls
Uxmal is known for the grandeur of its monuments, as well as for its symmetry, intricate mosaics, and many ceremonial…Río Bec: A Majestic Classic Maya Site That Is Rewriting History
As enjoyable as it is to explore the ruins of the Maya city of Río Bec, actually getting there is…Chunhuhub and the Joys of Exploring the Puuc in Silence
Chunhuhub is an archaeological site that could be described as modest in comparison to several of its contemporaries in the…Muyil Reopens To the Public After Eventful Restoration Efforts
The Mexican archaeological site of Muyil, also known as Chunyaxché, has reopened to the public after a 2024 closure for…
