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Mexico’s Cultural Treasures

National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City, Mexico

Stone of the Sun (Aztec Calendar Stone) at the National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Close-up detail of the center of the famous Stone of the Sun, also known as the Aztec Calendar Stone. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Mexico // Maya Civilization· Mexico City Mexico· museums & galleries Location: [post_gps_latitude], [post_gps_longitude]

The National Museum of Anthropology is Mexico’s most-visited museum. And it’s easy to see why. It has a vast array of exhibits related to Mesoamerica’s cultural history. And it is a region with an exceptionally rich cultural history.

It’s not just about Aztecs and Incas, although there’s an abundance of artifacts from each. But there’s much more than that. There are exhibits on temples of Teotihuacan as well as everyday life in villages in Mexico’s diverse regions. And while the emphasis is squarely on the region’s pre-Columbian history, there are also sections that focus on how cultural heritage as survived in regional areas today.

And then, of course, there are the famous highlights like the imposing and much-misinterpreted Stone of the Sun, which was long known as the Aztec Calendar but is now believed to be what is known as a temalacatl, a stage for sacrificial gladiatorial fights.

What it might lack in the latest whizz-bang museum innovations it more than makes up for with fascinating artifacts. It all makes for an incredibly impressive museum that surely ranks among the world’s best–a place where it’s very easy to spend several hours wandering through the various diverse exhibits.

Photos of Mexico’s National Museum of Anthropology

Stone of the Sun (Aztec Calendar Stone) at the National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

In the background is the Stone of the Sun (Aztec Calendar Stone). Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Courtyard and Umbrella at the National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

The main courtyard is partially shaded by a massive solid umbrella. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Front Entrance of National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

The main entrance. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Aztec Temple at the National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

A replica Aztec Temple. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Stone of the Sun (Aztec Calendar Stone) at the National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Stone of the Sun (Aztec Calendar Stone). Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Huehuetéotl (God of Fire) Dios Viejo (Old God) at National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Huehuetéotl (God of Fire) Dios Viejo (Old God). Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Aztec Carvings in the National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Aztec carvings. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Ceremonial masks. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Teotihuacan Exhibit at National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Teotihuacan Exhibit. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Woven Textiles on Display at the National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Woven textiles. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

A large Tree of Life (Árbol de la vida). Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

The outside of one of the main buildings. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Courtyard and Umbrella at the National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

A fish sculpture in front of the wetlands pond in the main courtyard. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Courtyard and Umbrella at the National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Aztec Temple at the National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Aztec temple. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Stone of the Sun (Aztec Calendar Stone) at the National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Stone of the Sun (Aztec Calendar Stone) in the background, with other stone sculptures in the foreground. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Chiapas Carvings in the National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Chiapas carvings. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Maya Temples on Display at the National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

A replica Maya temple in an exhibit outside. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Maya Temples on Display at the National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Maya temple. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Maya Temples on Display at the National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Maya temple exhibit. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Pakal the Great Sarcophagus at National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Pakal the Great Sarcophagus. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Culture of Guerrero at National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Culture of Guerrero exhibit. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

A large tomb exhibit. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Dios de la Muerte (God of Death) at National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Dios de la Muerte (God of Death) sculpture in the Maya exhibit. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Exhibit on Cultural History of Chililico, Hidalgo, at the National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Exhibit on Cultural History of Chililico, Hidalgo. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Courtyard of the National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Huehuetéotl (God of Fire) National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Huehuetéotl (God of Fire). Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Seri Cultural Artifacts at the National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Seri Cultural artifacts. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Colossal Head at the National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Colossal head made of stone. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Traditional Weaving Looms from Tlaxcala at the National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Traditional weaving looms from Tlaxcala. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Mosaic of the Jaguar at National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Mosaic of the Jaguar in the Maya outdoor exhibit. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Mayan Building at National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Maya building. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Oaxaca Section of the National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Oaxaca exhibit. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Painted Cave at National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Cave paintings. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Masks. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Cabeza Colosal at National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Cabeza Colossal Head. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Traditional Weaving Looms at the National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Weaving looms. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Paquime Home at the National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Paquime home. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Pottery. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Mural at the National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

A mural in the main foyer. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

Foyer of the National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

The main foyer. Photo by David Coleman. How to license & download this image.

What to Know Before You Go

  • This is a large and fascinating museum. Budget several hours to get a proper appreciation for its depth and scope. You can wander around at your own pace, and it can absorb a huge number of visitors before it feels crowded.
  • Food options are limited. There is a cafe on site, but it’s not the most expansive. A better bet is to head across the street, the Paseo de la Reforma, to the sprawling Bosque de Chapultepec, where you’ll find anything from sit-down cafes to food carts.
  • You’ll have to check bags. The bag/coat check is on the left-hand side of the main foyer, next to the gift shop.

Where to Next?

  • Torre Latinoamericana View North over Mexico City
    The View from Mexico City's 44th Floor
  • Sacristy in Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral
    Mexico City's Metropolitan Cathedral
  • Torre Latinoamericana
    Palacio de Bellas Artes, Mexico City's Cathedral of Art
  • Templo de la Ensenanza Main Altar and Nave
    Templo de la Enseñanza
  • Gran Hotel Cuidad de Mexico Atrium
    Gran Hotel Ciudad de Mexico
  • Mexican Beach Resort
    Excellence Playa Mujeres Luxury Beach Resort, Cancun, Mexico
  • Stained Glass Windows of Greek Goddesses at Chapultepec Castle in Mexico City
    Chapultepec Castle (Mexico's National Museum of History)
  • Iglesia de San Bernardo, Mexico City, Mexico
    Templo de San Bernardo
  • Ek' Balam Tomb of Ukit Kan Le'k Tok'
    Ek Balam, Maya City of the Jaguar


Travel Advice for Mexico

You can find the latest U.S. Department of State travel advisories and information for Mexico (such as entry visa requirements and vaccination requirements) here.

The British and Australian governments offer their own country-specific travel information. You can find the British Government's travel advice for Mexico here and the Australian Government's here.

Health & Vaccinations

The CDC makes country-specific recommendations for vaccinations and health for travelers. You can find their latest information for Mexico here.

David Coleman Photography

I take photos. I travel. I write. I do it for a living. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between. You can find my main site at havecamerawilltravel.com. Or check out what’s in my go-to travel photography kit. Or get in touch here.


Location: Mexico City
Country: Mexico
Coordinates:
      Latitude: 19.425993
      Longitude: -99.186203

      # Maya Civilization
      # Mexico City Mexico
      # museums & galleries



About David Coleman

I take photos. I travel. I write. I do it for a living.

I’m based in Washington, DC.

You can find my photography gear reviews and tips at havecamerawilltravel.com/photographer.

David Coleman Photography

I take photos. I travel. I write. I do it for a living. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between. You can find my main site at havecamerawilltravel.com. Or check out what’s in my go-to travel photography kit. Or get in touch here.

Licensing & Prints

Looking for travel stock photos or prints? I might be able to help. You can search my collection here:

If you already have a buyer account with Alamy and would prefer to use that, you can search my images directly here.

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