Living
Mayborn Museum hosting Mayan exhibit
Saturday, 23 June 2012 by Keith Bahlmann
Reveal the secrets from ancient Maya at Baylor University's Mayborn Museum Complex this summer as we combine two exhibits that explore Maya culture. Encounters with the Maya: Featuring Arkansas Discovery Network's Mystery of the Mayan Medallion and University of Pennsylvania Museum's Painted Metaphors will be on display June 23rd through September 23rd in the Thomas E. and Emilyne Weed Anding Traveling Exhibition Gallery.
"This summer we have combined two exhibits similar in topic that employ different learning approaches. We love to provide visitors of all ages the opportunity to see unique artifacts along with the chance to engage with interactive components" said Dr. Ellie Caston, Director of Baylor University's Mayborn Museum Complex.
In Mystery of the Mayan Medallion secrets of an ancient world await as you enter the world of Palenque, Mexico, where the Maya prospered for thousands of years. In this immersive exhibit created by the Arkansas Discovery Network and funded by the Donald P. Reynolds Foundation, you are transported to Palenque, where an archaeological team has mysteriously disappeared from a dig site while investigating rumors of a priceless jade medallion buried in the ruins.
Parents and children can follow the clues the team left behind to locate the precious medallion; however, visitors are urged not to forget to heed the warning signs to avoid the same fate.
This exhibit uses the mystery and intrigue of the Maya empire to explore math, science and history in a unique and interesting way sure to capture the attention of all who visit.
Painted Metaphors: Pottery and Politics of the Ancient Maya, organized by the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology and reinterpreted in light of recent research in the field, yields new clues to understanding everyday life — and changing politics — of the ancient Maya of Guatemala 1,300 years ago. This world-renowned collection of ancient Maya painted pottery was excavated by the University of Pennsylvania Museum nearly a century ago.
The exhibition includes a rare focus on the ordinary Maya, with material that reflects the ancient way of life — more than 150 ancient artifacts, including figurines, jade carvings, musical instruments, weaving implements, burial urns, cave offerings, and more. Additionally, the exhibition features photos and video of Maya life in the village of Chama today.
At the center of Painted Metaphors are almost two dozen recently conserved Maya painted vessels from Chama, a Maya village in the highlands far from the more sophisticated lowland centers of Maya culture. It was here that the museum's archaeologist Robert Burkitt discovered this brilliantly painted pottery, unlike anything else the region had ever produced.
Regular admission, which includes all of the Museum and the Encounters with the Maya exhibit, is $10 for adults, $9 for senior citizens and $5 for children. The exhibition is free to all Museum members and Baylor students. This courtesy is also extended to other college and university students with a valid ID.
The exhibit opens on Saturday, June 23rd with a special opening day price of $5 per person.
For more information about the exhibit, contact the Mayborn Museum Complex at (254) 710-1104 or visit www.MaybornMuseum.com.
