Tour Details
Duration
3 hours
Product Type
Tour
Venues
- National Museum of Anthropology
- Aztec Sun Stone (Calendar Stone)
Photos & Highlights
- Learn about Aztecs, Maya, and other ancient Mexican civilizations with a history or anthropology expert
- See the famous Sun Stone (Calendar Stone) and learn its backstory
Select a date
Tour Description
El Museo Nacional de Antropología, or the National Museum of Anthropology, is known as an essential safeguard of the legacy of indigenous Mexico. It contains some of the country’s most vital artifacts, such as the magnificent Stone of the Sun (perhaps better known as the Aztec calendar stone).
National Museum of Anthropology Tour in Mexico City
On this 3-hour National Museum of Anthropology Tour, we will be accompanied by a historian or anthropologist as we examine a vast collection of pre-Hispanic relics. We will discover not only the traditions and cultures that have defined Mexico historically but also how these various elements have influenced modern-day Mexican culture.
From Teotihuacan to the Aztecs
After a brief introduction to the history of the building and Pre-Classic civilizations such as the Olmec culture, we’ll dive into the fascinating world of Teotihuacan. An early Classic site rich in pyramids, burial tombs, and mural paintings, we’ll discuss why it had such influence over other regions, and how its unique artistic style and iconography of main deities were echoed throughout Mesoamerica for hundreds of years before its mysterious collapse.
Then we’ll enter the museum’s main exhibit hall, the Aztecs. Here, our expert guide will select pieces to exemplify the culture’s focus on war practices, territory expansion, and multicultural trade throughout Mesoamerica. We’ll marvel at the Sun Stone and learn its suspect history since its rediscovery in 1790, and what it has to do with US/Mexican relations and Mexican identity today. Our expert will continue with a discussion on the Spanish conquest, its forced religious practices on native populations, and the syncretism that resulted.
The Maya and Indigenous Mexico Today
The latter part of our visit will focus on the Maya—a people who have persisted through the ages and are now at the forefront of cultural resistance in Mexico. After an introduction to the Mayan codices and ancient political structure, we may step outside to examine Mayan architecture at full scale. Our guide will then take us on a journey to the underworld to one of the most celebrated (and lucky) archaeological finds in the country. Finally, we’ll conclude with a discussion of the decline of this civilization and the endurance of the Maya even today.
Take Aways
At the end of our tour, we'll emerge from our time together with a better understanding of pre-Hispanic history in relation to the archaeological pieces that we’ve discussed. We’ll also have a greater ethnographic awareness of indigenous populations in Mexico today as a result of our focused examination of the Anthropology Museum.
Experts
What is included in the tour?
Your purchase of the 3-hour tour of the National Museum of Anthropology includes the guide’s time and tickets to the museum (which will be charged per person during checkout). The guide will purchase these tickets for you before the start of your tour, so you need not wait in line.
Your purchase of the 3-hour tour of the National Museum of Anthropology includes the guide’s time and tickets to the museum (which will be charged per person during checkout). The guide will purchase these tickets for you before the start of your tour, so you need not wait in line.
Why isn't the tour offered on Sundays and Mondays?
The tour is not available on Sundays primarily due to the substantial crowds that frequent the museum on that day, creating an environment less conducive to an enjoyable tour experience. Additionally, the museum is closed to the general public on Mondays.
The tour is not available on Sundays primarily due to the substantial crowds that frequent the museum on that day, creating an environment less conducive to an enjoyable tour experience. Additionally, the museum is closed to the general public on Mondays.
Is this tour suitable for visitors with mobility issues?
Yes. The museum is wheelchair accessible, and it has manual wheelchairs available to loan.
Where You'll Start
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229 Reviews
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She was absolutely excellent. And the museum is amazing!
Laurie
Reviewed on:
Jan 16, 2024
It was excellent. I cannot imagine trying to negotiate that massive museum without an educated guide. There is so much archeological ethnological, historical and sociological data that to experience this amazing place without a guide would be a travesty. It IS overwhelming and one would want to be guided with accurate information rather than with urban myths. I want to especially comment on my guide David Xaragosa. He obviously love what he does. He was very very knowledgeable about the architecture style and the multitudinous ethnic groups and languages with their timelines. I had a wonderful experience and the time flew by! He was an excellent teacher and had wonder pictures to elaborate on the time periods being addressed. Could not have been better
Mary
Reviewed on:
Jan 14, 2024
Going through the museum with Gabriel was vastly better than if I had gone on my own. There was more to see than I could ever manage, so he was able to prioritize and make the most of my three hours. This is a world-class museum and I’m grateful to Gabriel for introducing me to so many different cultures and to help me see their interconnectedness.
Julia
Reviewed on:
Jan 14, 2024
