MUSEO NACIONAL DE ANTROPOLOGÍA

This vast and fascinating museum was built in the early 1960s and is one of the most prestigious in the world. The treasures it contains are so numerous that a whole day would not be enough to fully appreciate them. Given its colossal size, we strongly recommend that you plan your visit according to your interests and the different regions you plan to explore during your stay in Mexico. Explanations are in Spanish, but there is some English commentary. It's a modern two-storey building, with 22 galleries containing the finest objects from temples and tombs throughout the country. Among the many treasures on display are the famous Sun Stone (often mistaken for the Aztec calendar), the headdress worn by the Aztec emperor Moctezuma, the tomb of Pacal, an imposing Olmec head and the statue of Xochipilli. You can also explore the Tenochtitlan model, a visual representation of the legendary Aztec capital. This will give you a concrete idea of what it looked like at the time. The museum is divided into two sections: an anthropological section on the second floor and an ethnological section on the second floor. Each civilization has its own dedicated space, providing a better understanding of its history and culture. The archaeology rooms are arranged around the central courtyard, in chronological order, starting on the right-hand side and moving towards the Mexica room. From the Oaxacan cultures room onwards, the rooms are presented in geographical order. The rooms on the second floor are listed below (rooms 12 to 22 are on the second floor):

1. Introduction to anthropology

Adaptations and changes over millions of years have led to the development of the physical, social and cultural characteristics that define human beings today.

2. Settlement of the Americas (30,000 - 2500 B.C.) This room presents the evolution of America's first inhabitants as a result of climatic change, highlighting the development of indigenous cultures that gave rise to Mesoamerican peoples such as the Mexica, Maya, Teotihuacan, Zapotec, Mixtec and Olmec.

3. Central Altiplano (1500 BC - 250 AD) Population growth and agricultural exploitation led to the emergence of the first stratified societies.

4. Teotihuacan (100 - 700 AD) Teotihuacan was a center of pilgrimage and economic control, whose influence extended far into and beyond Mesoamerica, even after its decline.

5. The Toltecs (700 - 1200 AD) After the fall of Teotihuacan, independent centers such as Xochicalco, Cantona and Cacaxtla emerged, followed by the hegemony of Tula.

6. Mexica (1200 - 1521 AD) Tribute, agriculture and trade were the three pillars of the economy of the Mexica empire, whose social development depended directly on war. In this room, you'll find the Sun Stone and the statue of Coatlicue, mother of the Aztec gods.

7. Oaxaca. In this room, you can admire remarkable pieces such as codex-style polychrome pottery, finely-worked jade masks, ceramic urns and the famous mask of the bat god. Oaxaca was the cradle of two great cultures: the Zapotecs, builders of the city of Monte Albán, and the Mixtecs, renowned for their artistic flair and writing systems. Outside, you'll find a reproduction of Tomb 7 at Monte Albán.

8. Gulf Coast. At different times in history, three cultural groups inhabited this lush region: the Olmecs, the Totonacs and the Huastecs.

9. The Mayans.Mayanproductsfrom Mexico, Guatemala, Belize and Honduras. Note the reproductions of Bonampak's painted walls, in much better condition than the damaged originals, not to mention the replica of King Pakal's tomb discovered in the Templo de las Inscripciones in Palenque.

10. The West. Thecultures of Nayarit, Jalisco, Colima, Guerrero and the Tarascos of Michoacán, the only peoples to have repelled the Aztec invasion.

11. Norte. The north of Mesoamerica was home to many cultures, from large settlements such as Paquimé and Alta Vista, to small villages such as the Hohokam and Anazazi groups.

On the second level, you'll find the 11 ethnography rooms, displaying samples of the material culture of the indigenous peoples of contemporary Mexico.

12. Puebla Highlands. This room highlights the convergence of the Totonacs, Otomis, Tepehuas and Nahuas in the Huachinango-Xicotepec and Zacatlan-Cuetzalan highlands. It features examples of artistic specialization such as basketry, featherwork, jewelry, textiles and paper.

13. Otopame. The cosmovision, agricultural rituals, patron saints and ancestors of the Pame, Matlaltzinca, Chichimeca-Jonaz, Mazahua, Otomi and Ocuiltec speakers.

14. Puréecherio. Michoacán region, inhabited since pre-Hispanic times by the Purépechas. Discover ancestral activities such as fishing and celebrations.

15. Gran Nayar. The territory of Nayarit, Jalisco and Zacatecas, home to the Coras, Huicholes, Tepehuanes and Nahuas. These communities are distinguished by their artistic representation of their worldview through objects such as chaquira, worsted wool paintings and objects of power.

16. Indigenous peoples. This room showcases the indigenous peoples currently living in Mexico, highlighting their rich cultural heritage that encompasses their worldview, religion, economy, ceremonies, dances, rituals, ancestor worship, social organization and daily life.

17. Oaxaca and the Indians of the South. This area brings together some 16 indigenous peoples, including the Mixtecs and Zapotecs, highlighting the region's cultural diversity.

18. Gulf Coast. Huasteca and Totonacapan regions, home to the Teenek and Totonacas peoples. Here you can admire Totonacan textiles and Huastecan musical instruments.

19. Maya peoples of the plains and jungles. This room presents the Mayas of Yucatán and Quintana Roo, as well as the Choles of Campeche, with their rituals linked to agricultural fertility. It also features the Chontales of Tabasco, with their fishing practices, and the Lacandones of the Chiapas jungles, with their rituals in honor of the ancestors.

20. Mayan peoples of the mountains. Indigenous peoples of the Chiapas highlands, such as the Tzeltales, Tzotziles, Tojolabales and Mames. You can admire their religious practices, as well as objects related to music, textiles and amber.

21. Northwest:mountains, deserts and valleys. This room presents the agricultural rituals, basketry and deer dances of peoples such as the Seris, Papagos, Cochimíes, Yumanos, Mayos, Yaquis, Tarahumaras, Guarijíos, Pimas and Tepehuas.

22. The Nahuas. An area dedicated to the Nahuas, an ethnic group spread across 13 Mexican states that has profoundly influenced Mexican identity. Don't miss the tiger and alligator masks and the magnificent Macehualmej shawls.

El Paraguas. As you enter the central courtyard, you'll be amazed by the imposing presence of the inverted fountain that sits majestically at its center. Named El Paraguas (the umbrella), this 12-metre-high waterfall was designed in 1964 by architect Pedro Ramírez Vázquez in collaboration with engineer Óscar de Buen. It supports a 4,500^m2 roof, resting on metal beams and turnbuckles attached to adjacent buildings.