MUSEUM INFORMATION

WITNESS THE MAYANS...

According to the Mayan calendar, the world
OPEN:
DAILY, 10 AM - 5:45 PM THE MAYANS
Civilization and Art Exhibit
as we know it will end in the year 2012. So CLOSED:
why not use your remaining time wisely and THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS DAY
come visit The Mayans, a historical and cul-
tural exhibit at the American Museum of ADDRESS:
Natural History? Here you’ll learn all you AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
need to know about Mayan culture, art, rec- CENTRAL PARK WEST AT 79TH STREET
reation, and warfare. Find yourself immersed
in the visually stimulating Civilization and Art PHONE:
section, which features the {212} 769-5100
finest in Mayan sculptures, paintings, and
ceramics. After viewing the art exhibit, visit E-MAIL:
the Games and Recreation section to see HELPINFO@NATUALMUSEUM.COM
what activities kept the Mayans occupied.
Last but not least, make your rounds to the LIBRARY SERVICES:
Weaponry and Warfare section and brace Visit the Research Library for information
yourself for the frightful, yet exciting array of about the book, photo, film, and archive
barbaric tools the Mayans used in battle. collections, as well as information about the
Museum’s scientific publications.

Visit http://www.amnh.org/ for more information!

February 20th through May 5th
The American Museum of Natural History

THE MAYANS AND THEIR ART
Preclassic period (1500 B.C. to 250 A.D.)
The Mayan civilization’s art was not only a
means of self expression, but a reflection of
their society and culture. Through viewing the
Mayan’s sculpture, ceramics, paintings and
even performance art we can put the clues
to together and understand their world and
their society.
Detail from mural found at San Bartolo, Guatemala
Photo: National Geographic Society
Yaxchilan Lintel 24 (a specific kind of limestone carving),
depicting a bloodletting ritual.
The majority of the Mayan’s 2d and 3d art was
made from materials such as plaster, paper,
wood, terra cotta, clay and sometimes metal.
Many of the sculptures and paintings depict
famous rulers, and certain rituals. The Mayan’s
painting was usually done on cermamics, or walls
made of stone or caves.
The Mayan’s painting was usually done on
cermamics, or walls made of stone or caves.
The Maya Kings commissioned finely crafted
works to furnish their palaces. Many ceram-
ics and sculptures of the Mayans, depicted
the world around them; people, animals and
everyday life. Maya Art was not only for the
royalty, as the multiple findings in households
shows. In Aguateca, every one of the elite
residences excavated so far has included a
workshop—a sign that Aguateca’s sculptors,
painters, ceramic artists, and scribes came
overwhelmingly from the ranks of nobility.
Toad containers; they wear “tzuk” faces on their
backs and act as vases.
For more information on the Mayan culture, visit:
http://www.amnh.org/