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Media Room - Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed

Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 20, 2013

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MAYA: HIDDEN WORLDS REVEALED WILL MAKE ITS WORLD PREMIERE AT THE SCIENCE MUSEUM OF MINNESOTA THIS SUMMER

A Science Museum of Minnesota original exhibition opens on June 21, 2013

Group tickets go on sale today

St. Paul, Minn. – On Friday, June 21, the Science Museum of Minnesota will host the world premiere of Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed, a brand‐new, original exhibition that sheds light on this mysterious and majestic ancient culture. Tickets for the exhibition go on sale for groups of 15 or more today. Public tickets will go on sale on June 12.

The ancient Maya have captured our imaginations since news of the discovery of ruined cities in the jungles of Central America was published in 1839. Extensive research has uncovered a culture with a sophisticated worldview that, during its Classic period (250‐900 AD), rivaled any civilization in Europe.

At 15,000 square feet, Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed will be the largest exhibition about the ancient Maya ever to be displayed in the United States. It uses a combination of never‐before‐seen artifacts, immersive environments, multimedia components, and hands‐on activities to explore the rise and eventual decline of this fascinating culture's ancient cities. It is designed to give visitors a glimpse at a cross‐section of Maya life—from divine kings who ruled powerful cities to the artisans and laborers who formed the backbone of Maya society. Visitors will also get a close look at the scientific work being carried out at key Maya sites across Central America to understand exactly how we know what we know of the once‐hidden ancient Maya culture.

Highlights of Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed include:

  • more than 300 authentic artifacts, including spectacular examples of Maya artistry made by masters of their craft, along with objects from everyday life.
  • dozens of hands‐on activities that dig into Maya life during the Classic period. Visitors will have a chance to decipher glyphs, build corbeled arches, play with the Maya concept of beauty, explore tombs, investigate the Maya understanding of math and astronomy, and more.
  • a huge re‐created portion of a famous frieze, or richly ornamented exterior wall portion, from the El Castillo Temple in Xunantunich, a Maya civic ceremonial center in modern day Belize. Visitors will wonder at its size and detail, and they'll watch as the ancient frieze's vivid colors emerge once again to their original vibrancy.
  • several replica large‐scale carved monuments, or stelae, that were erected in the great plazas of Maya cities. Their inscriptions have given scholars valuable insight into ancient Maya history – from royal succession to political conflicts and great battles.
  • an exploration of Maya architecture—from its awe‐inspiring temples to the simple homes of the common people.
  • an examination of the concepts of ritual and human sacrifice that allowed the Maya to transcend the earthly world and speak with the gods of the underworld. Visitors will see the concepts of death and rebirth—concepts that were essential to the Maya world view—arise again and again throughout the exhibition.

Development of Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed is being led by the Science Museum of Minnesota in conjunction with the Denver Museum of Nature and Science; Museum of Science, Boston; and the San Diego Natural History Museum. After its run at the Science Museum of Minnesota, the exhibition will travel to Denver, Boston and San Diego.

For more details about the exhibition as the opening date approaches, visit www.smm.org/maya.

The Science Museum of Minnesota is one of the nation's most prolific producers of original science exhibits. Drawing on research from the museum's own staff, Science Museum exhibit developers, designers, and technicians have created traveling exhibits that have been enjoyed by more than 35 million people worldwide. For information about planning a Science Museum visit, log on to www.smm.org.

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Jade Mask

Jade Mosaic Mask
Printable version (1.2 MB)

This jade mosaic mask is one of more than 250 authentic artifacts featured in the Science Museum of Minnesota's upcoming Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed exhibition. Mosaic masks are spectacular—but relatively uncommon—artifacts found in the tombs of kings.

The mask was found in the tomb of Great Scrolled Skull, a ruler of Santa Rita Corozal in Belize during the Early Classic period (AD 250-900). A symbol of power, Great Scrolled Skull probably wore it as an ornament on his belt or on a necklace. The mask's jade, shell, and obsidian were attached to an organic backing that had decomposed, so when it was found, it was a pile of chips that had to be put back together.

Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed, the largest exhibition ever assembled about the rise and decline of ancient Maya civilization, makes its world premiere on June 21, 2013 at the Science Museum of Minnesota.

Image courtesy of the National Institute of Culture and History.

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