The Maya Maize God
For the ancient Maya, maize or corn wasn’t just food—it was life itself.
Cenotes in the Ancient Maya World
How did the ancient Maya survive in the arid Yucatán Peninsula?
Diego Rivera, Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in Alameda Park
Diego Rivera's mural "Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in Alameda Park" is filled with over a hundred figures from Mexico's history, spanning 400 years.
Remedios Varo, The Call (La Llamada)
Remedios Varo was deeply interested in the occult, mysticism, magic, astrology, witchcraft, and more, and she explored these ideas alongside close friends like Leonora Carrington while they lived in Mexico City.
Tezcatlipoca: Identifying Aztec Deities
Learn how to identify the Aztec (Mexica) god Tezcatlipoca ("Smoking Mirror") in art.
Leonora Carrington, Kitchen Garden on the Eyot and Surrealism in Mexico
Modern surrealist artist Leonora Carrington often turned to alchemy, magic, mythical creatures, the occult, folklore, fairy tales, and more.
Camelid Sacrum in the Shape of a Canine, Tequixquiac, Meixco
Could this camelid sacrum bone be one of the oldest artworks in North America, made 16,000 years ago?
What is Jade (Jadeite) in Mesoamerica?
Jadeite was a precious material in Mesoamerica among the Olmec, Maya, and others.
Who is Chahk (Chaak)?
This video looks at the ancient Maya god Chahk (also spelled Chaak or Chac).
Structure 40 at Yaxchilan and Bird Jaguar IV
Built by Bird Jaguar IV or Yaxum B’ahlam IV in the 8th century, Structure 40 publicized Bird Jaguar IV’s dynastic lineage and helped to justify his rule at the Maya city-state of Yaxchilan.
Colima Dogs and West Mexican Ceramics
Dogs have been immortalized in art across the globe for thousands of years.
Frida Kahlo's Viva la Vida (Long Live Life)—Her Final Painting
Frida Kahlo’s final painting, Viva la Vida, is a powerful symbol of life’s celebration.
Teotihuacan Mastered City Planning 2,000 Years Ago with Apartments and Grid Planning
Explore the massive Mesoamerican city of Teotihuacan, an ancient site known for its incredible architecture.
Lady K'abal Xook (Lady Xoc) on Lintel 25 from Yaxchilán
The ancient Maya queen Lady K’abal Xook (Lady Xoc) of Yaxchilan appears on three of the most famous examples of Maya art (and Mesoamerican art!), including Lintel 25. Find out why!
Elizabeth Catlett, Sharecropper
This video examines Elizabeth Catlett's powerful linocut print, "Sharecropper," created after her move to Mexico City in 1946 to work at the Taller de Gráfica Popular.
What is an atlatl?
This video focuses on what an atlatl, or spearthrower, is in Mesoamerica.
An Introduction to the Ancient Maya
This overview reading about the ancient Maya of Mesoamerica covers topics such as geography and land, Classic period cities such as Palenque and Tikal, religion and rituals, writing, art, calendars, the ballgame, conflict, and the living Maya.
Zapotec Funerary Urns in Mesoamerica: Inside Ancient Mexican Tombs
Zapotec funerary urns are unique to ancient Mexico.
Lady Sak K'uk', Queen of Palenque
Who is the ancient Maya queen Lady Sak K’uk’ of Palenque?