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Anthropological Museum
One of Merida's biggest tourist attractions is
the spectacular Anthropological Museum in the Canton Palace located
on the Paseo de Montejo. On the cover of the July 2004 magazine,
we have shown the interior of the museum, and the current exhibition
"Dialog with the Divinities Cosmos: Gods, Rites and Offerings".
Remember, the Museum is closed on Mondays.
This exhibition is designed to give the public a view of the Mayan
vision of the Cosmos and the religion of the pre-Hispanic Maya,
its evolution in time and the cultural influences of other regions.
Above: The Museum of Anthropology
The exhibit includes marvelous Mayan pieces elaborated in clay
and stone. These pieces were found in different sites on the Yucatan
Peninsula as a result of the intense archeological work that has
conducted for the past 25 years.
Pieces in the exhibit include various representations of Itzamna,
the god of creation, the sacred Ceiba trees that are believed to
be the axis of the earth, the "pawatunes" that support
the corners of the world on their shoulders, and the myth of creation
as related in the Popol Vuh.
Another section of the exhibition is devoted to the divinities including
the god of corn and lower gods, Kinich the sun god, Tlaloc the Teotihuacan
god of storm and his Mayan counterpart Chaac the rain god, Ixchel, the goddess of fertility,
weaving and sensual love, Kawii the god of the political leaders
and Cizin and Ah Puch, gods of death from the Classic and Post-Classic
periods. These are just a few of the gods and divinities represented
by sculptures, carvings and paintings found here in the Yucatan.
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Above: July 2004 magazine cover showing the
current exhibit, Dialog with the Divinities.
Also included in the exhibit are representations of pre-Hispanic
and modern rituals along with an exhibition of offering rites.
The Museum of Anthropology has a permanent exhibit of sculptures,
carvings, tools, skeletal remains, pots, fibers and various other
artifacts from pre-Columbian times that have been found in the Yucatan
area. The museum itself is an artifact. It was once owned by the
Canton family and is a beautiful example of the elaborate homes
that were built along Paseo Montejo during the height of the henequen
boom in Merida.
There are many ways to get to the museum. It is conveniently located
on the Paseo de Montejo, just a few blocks from the Santa Ana market.
On a cooler day, it is within easy
walking distance of the Zocalo and the Centro Historico. It
is a stop on the city tour Turibus.
The museum is also a parking place for the ever-popular calesas.
To read in Spanish click here 
Read more about:
 Museums
Art Galleries
Sidewalk Sculpture Exhibit
The Calle 60 Stroll
Visit our map:
Map of Merida Historical Downtown
Map of Merida Downtown
Map of Merida City
Map of Yucatan Peninsula |
