From hero objects to foam blocks: Contextualizing the archaeological record in Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed

Summary

Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed is a 10,000- to 15,000-square-foot traveling exhibition created through multi-national, multi-institutional partnerships and intended to appeal to museum visitors of all ages. The core of the exhibition is a collection of more than 200 stunning and thought-provoking archaeological artifacts and ethnographic objects from throughout the Maya world. These objects provide visitors opportunities to engage with the authentic Maya past, the Maya today, and the work of dozens of archaeologists. But, equally important, the exhibition also contains hands-on interactive components, immersive environments, large- and small-scale models, and compelling storytelling that, when associated with the objects, help to contextualize both Maya culture and the archaeological process. In this paper we will explore the development of the exhibition and the methods of display and interpretation used to contextualize the archaeological record of the Maya.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 81st Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL (2016)   •
• Exhibiting Mesoamerican Archaeology in the Early 21st Century

Keywords

Spatial Coverage