The National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City has an art collection that is the envy of many museums in the world. Its collection of artifacts testifies to the rich history of the region called Mesoamerica during the pre-Columbian period, that is, from the first millennium BC until the conquest of Mexico in 1521. The museum is one of the twenty most important museums in the world and is the most important archaeological and anthropological museum in Latin America. 23 exhibition halls, 45 thousand square meters of exhibition space, tens of thousands of exhibits and more than 2 million visitors per year…
But there are five exhibits that professionals consider the most valuable. From an artistic and historical point of view, of course. Their special value lies in the fact that these exhibits are extremely difficult to reproduce even in modern requirements, when the masters have equipment in their arsenal that is much more advanced than that of their ancient colleagues.
Monkey-shaped vessel made of obsidian
Obsidian — volcanic glass, which was widely used throughout the pre-Hispanic era and was sold in large quantities by Tefromihuacan, a powerful city that dominated Central Mexico in the 5th–7th centuries AD. In the postclassical period, from 1325 to 1521. This natural material was highly valued by the Aztecs. It was used to make weapons, sharp arrowheads and spears, and in addition to knives, and to create real works of art, such as this vessel in the shape of a monkey (a pregnant female). It cost the master a lot of work and patience to carve and then polish this vessel.
The vessel has an impeccable composition, it embodies the triumph of aesthetics and harmony, even though the author had primitive tools at his disposal to create it. Considering all this, it is practically impossible to create an exact copy of this work. You can admire it in the southeastern part of the Mexica Hall, next to the plume of Montezuma.
Bat God Mask
The Mask of the Bat God was discovered in the archaeological zone of Monte Alban, Oaxaca, and is without a doubt one of the most famous exhibits of the National Museum of Anthropology and one of the priceless treasures of its Oaxaca hall.
According to experts, in the last centuries BC, people from the territory of the modern state of Chiapas or even from Guatemala brought the cult of the bat to the mountains and valleys of Oaxaca, which they worshiped as a deity. Proof of this is an incredible mask made from several plates of jadeite, laid on top of each other and carefully polished. Together they represent the image of a winged creature associated, according to the beliefs of the ancients, with the underworld and death. Take a closer look, the image is very bright!
Mask of Ruler Pakal
In 1952, a team of archaeologists led by Alberto Ruz made some of the most memorable discoveries in Mexican archaeology in the archaeological zone of Palenque in the state of Chiapas. Inside the Temple of the Inscriptions, a huge burial chamber was discovered, in the central part of which a stone slab with reliefs stood out. When the slab was moved, archaeologists saw the remains of King Pakal, who ruled this Mayan capital in 615 - 683. AD, and many treasures.
In 1964, a special area was designed in the Mayan Hall of the National Museum of Anthropology in which this burial chamber was recreated. Through one of the three showcases, visitors have the opportunity to imagine its contents and admire the treasures discovered during the memorable discovery.
The stunning jadeite mask that covered the face of the mysterious ruler was recently restored to its original splendor. The jade plates sparkle, and the eyes, made of stone and seashells, seem to study the visitor, looking at him from time immemorial.
Golden chest decoration
During the Postclassic period, the inhabitants of the region in the modern state of Oaxaca, called Mixteca, achieved the highest skill in making very spectacular jewelry from precious metals. Such decorations were intended exclusively for rulers. One of the most famous exhibits found in Yanguitlan also belongs to that period. This is a chest decoration, the shape of which represents a chimalli, or warrior's shield, decorated with a stepped greek inside.
11 bells hang from the round element of the decoration, giving the form an extraordinary balance. Four drfromics crossing the shield from right to left show the warlike nature of the work. Obviously, such a decoration could be worn by a noble warrior, awarded for his achievements on the battlefield. The decoration is displayed in the Oaxaca hall, where other treasures made of precious metals made by the hands of Mixtec craftsmen are located.
Bar of gold from the Conquest period
Spanish soldiers, who were under siege in the palace of Mexico City-Tenochtitlan, were forced to flee from the pursuit of Aztec warriors under the command of the leader Cuitlaguac. Their flight and beating went down in history as the Night of Sorrow. According to legend, in order to save and carry away the loot, they melted down all the gold from the trophies. Rings, bracelets, earrings, jewelry, taken from the Aztecs, after passing through the fire, turned into gold bars of an oblong, slightly curved shape. It was convenient to tie yourself with these bars so as not to carry them in your hands. But the gold was so heavy that the soldiers, once in the canals of the city, simply could not get out of them and drowned.
It would be possible to assume that excavations in the historical center would make it possible to find more such bars. But so far only one has been discovered, which makes it unique. The block was found in the area of the so-called Alvarado Bridge, right where the Aztecs collapsed the bridge to prevent the Spaniards from escaping. Now the Alvarado Bridge is the name given to part of one of the main streets near the historical center, a few steps from Mexico City's central Alameda Park. The bar is located in the Meshica (Aztec) hall.
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