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The Mayans, an endless time… and unprecedented

One of the most important exhibitions of Mayan culture in recent times is held in Mexico City. There they show pieces never before seen by the public. BBC Mundo presents some of them.

The exhibition "Mayans: an endless time" has been described as the most important collection of objects created by this civilization. Not only because of the number of pieces in the exhibition, more than 500, but also because of the presentation of several for the first time on the public stage. (Photo: Inah)
The exhibition “Mayans: an endless time” has been described as the most important collection of objects created by this civilization. Not only because of the number of pieces in the exhibition, more than 500, but also because of the presentation of several for the first time on the public stage. (Photo: Inah)
Present in the Gallery of the National Palace, the official headquarters of the Mexican presidency, the exhibition tells through six segments from the emergence of the Mayan culture in 2500 BC to the present day. (Photo: Inah)
Present in the Gallery of the National Palace, the official headquarters of the Mexican presidency, the exhibition tells through six segments from the emergence of the Mayan culture in 2500 BC to the present day. (Photo: Inah)
The relationship of the Mayans with natural elements, especially the land and cultivable foods such as corn, gave spiritual and administrative meaning to their way of life and even reflected it in the architecture of their buildings and monuments.
The relationship of the Mayans with natural elements, especially the land and cultivable foods such as corn, gave spiritual and administrative meaning to their way of life and even reflected it in the architecture of their buildings and monuments.
In this image you can see the headdress that some of the Mayan rulers wore on their waists, the symbol in the center represented their status, the sign of their power before the common people.
In this image you can see the headdress that some of the Mayan rulers wore on their waists, the symbol in the center represented their status, the sign of their power before the common people.
Despite the collapse of their civilization, the Mayan people knew how in many cases to resist and in others to absorb the new reality that the arrival of the Spanish to Mexico meant. In the image a Mayan style Christian cross. For many it may mean an exclusively Christian symbol, however the cross is an element that the ancient Mayans associated with the ceiba tree, a sacred tree. (Photo: Inah)
Despite the collapse of their civilization, the Mayan people knew how in many cases to resist and in others to absorb the new reality that the arrival of the Spanish to Mexico meant. In the image a Mayan style Christian cross. For many it may mean an exclusively Christian symbol, however the cross is an element that the ancient Mayans associated with the ceiba tree, a sacred tree. (Photo: Inah)
In addition to the luxurious headdresses that the rulers wore in life, at the time of their death their status was still important. In the photo, a death mask - made mostly of jade - shows the mastery and importance that the artisans achieved during the rise of this culture. (Photo: Inah)
In addition to the luxurious headdresses that the rulers wore in life, at the time of their death their status was still important. In the photo, a death mask – made mostly of jade – shows the mastery and importance that the artisans achieved during the rise of this culture. (Photo: Inah)
From the early stages in the development of this culture, male sexuality was seen as a sign of power and fertility not only of the human race but of all of nature. (Photo; Inah; texts by Alan Hernández Pásten)
From the early stages in the development of this culture, male sexuality was seen as a sign of power and fertility not only of the human race but of all of nature. (Photo; Inah; texts by Alan Hernández Pásten)