Step Ahead Mexico Anthropology Museum & Archaeological Sites Tour

History of the National Museum of Anthropology

This is the world’s largest archaeological museum, built in 1964. It has become one of the main destinations for travelers from both domestic and international locations visiting Mexico City.

The history of the museum dates back to the late 1800s. Before 1964, it was located in the present National Museum of Culture, adjacent to the National Palace in the heart of Mexico City.

In August 13, 1790, during the Spanish colonial period, the statue of “Coatlicue” was discovered in the southeast of the Constitution Square (commonly known as Zócalo), and four months later, on December 17, the famous “Sun Stone” was also found.

👆Stone of the sun

👆Coatlicue (Mother of the Mexica gods)

From this period, interest in the pre-colonial cultures began to rise gradually. The Catholic Church instructed the colonial government to embed the “Sun Stone” in the western wall of the Metropolitan Cathedral.

The collection of archaeological artifacts and related items began in 1865 during the Second Mexican Empire, ruled by Emperor Maximilian, an Austrian. It was the end of the Edo period in Japan and the near-end of the American Civil War in neighboring America. The location that later became the present National Museum of Culture, known as the “Museo Nacional de México,” was not open to the public at that time due to domestic turmoil.

After the execution of Emperor Maximilian in 1867 and the restoration of the presidency under the rule of Benito Juárez, the “Museo Nacional de México” was finally opened to the public as the “National Museum of Mexico.” This marked the beginning of the National Museum of Anthropology’s history.

However, at that time, the museum did not have exhibition rooms with organized artifacts; instead, large stone sculptures were placed in the central courtyard. The “Hall of Sculptures,” which consolidated and exhibited these artifacts, was established on Mexico’s Independence Day, September 16, 1887, during the Porfirio Díaz regime. This hall also included colossal stone statues such as the “Sun Stone” and “Chalchiuhtlicue” found in Teotihuacan.

👆Chalchiuhtlicue (Sister of the Tlaloc god)

This marked the establishment of Mexico’s first institution for the scientific investigation and research of archaeological artifacts and ethnicities. The “National Museum of Mexico” also functioned as an educational institution, conducting lectures and talks on archaeology and ethnography. It later evolved into the Escuela Nacional de Antropología e Historia (ENAH), the precursor of today’s National School of Anthropology and History, with Alfonso Caso, who later achieved great success in the excavation of the Monte Albán site, and other future prominent archaeologists as its students.

In 1909, all archaeological artifacts related to the fields of anthropology, nature, geography, minerals, etc., were transferred to the National Museum of Natural History, while the archaeological artifacts remained in the National Museum, which was renamed to the “National Museum of Archaeology, History, and Ethnography,” a name that lasted for 30 years.

In 1939, the current National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) was established to protect, enlighten, and research cultural heritage such as archaeological sites and artifacts. When visiting archaeological sites, you will often see the notation or logo “INAH,” which stands for “Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia” (National Institute of Anthropology and History). From this point, the first university department of archaeology, the Escuela Nacional de Antropología e Historia (ENAH), was established, producing numerous archaeology specialists and instructors, and the lecturers for my classes are also alumni of this school.

In 1940, the historical department (post-colonial) and the archaeological department (pre-Spanish arrival) were separated. The historical department became the “National History Museum” in Chapultepec, while the archaeological and ethnographic department was renamed the “National Museum of Anthropology.”

In 1964, the present-day National Museum of Anthropology, covering an area of 70,000 square meters, was completed, becoming a museum housing over 7,700 archaeological artifacts and more than 5,700 ethnographic exhibits. It preserves and houses the heritage of the Mesoamerican civilization, a source of pride for Mexico, and has become a symbol of the country.

 

Combine Museum and Archaeological Site Tours

This tour aims to make the visit to the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico more accessible, enjoyable, and informative by incorporating visits to archaeological sites.

While museums are generally thought to be easy to understand due to their organized exhibits and explanations, there is a challenge when it comes to archaeological museums. The lack of context before and after each artifact can make it difficult for visitors to grasp the full story.

The archaeological artifacts at the National Museum of Anthropology are from the pre-Columbian Mesoamerican civilization. Before the European culture arrived during the Age of Exploration, Mesoamerica was a region with numerous distinct cultures and languages, often described as a collection of “small nations.” Despite their linguistic and cultural differences, these “small nations” shared a common worldview based on their beliefs and architectural practices, forming a vast civilization through commerce and political relations.

Understanding each artifact and cultural element individually makes it difficult to comprehend Mesoamerica as a whole.

The key point of this tour is to create a route that connects the exhibits with related archaeological sites, thereby linking historical contexts. This way, the significance of each exhibit becomes clearer, making the experience more intriguing.

Sample Tour Routes

Please note that these are examples, and the routes can be adjusted according to travelers’ available time and interests.

Mexico City & Altiplano (Central Mexico)

The Formation of Modern Mexico City (1-3 days)

Tlatilco👉Cuicuilco👉Teotihuacan👉Tula👉Xochitecatl & Cacaxtla👉Cholula👉Zocalo (Mexico City)👉Tenochtitlan (Mexico City)👉National Museum of Anthropology

Oaxaca & Altiplano

The Birth and Decline of Zapotec Culture (2-3 days)

San Jose el Mogote👉Zaachila👉Dainzú👉Monte Albán👉Yagul & Mitla👉Cuicuilco (Mexico City)👉Tenochtitlan (Mexico City)👉National Museum of Anthropology

Classical Period to Epiclassic Period’s Major Cities (Plus 1-2 days)

Overland, you can also visit Cantona👉Cholula👉Xochitecatl & Cacaxtla👉Teotihuacan.

Yucatan Peninsula South & Tabasco

The Earliest Mesoamerican Culture: Olmec and Early Maya Cities (4 days)

San Lorenzo & La Venta👉Calakmul👉Palenque👉Yaxchilán & Bonampak👉Cuicuilco (Mexico City)

Yucatan Peninsula North

From the Prosperity to the Decline of the Maya Culture

You can enjoy a tour of the archaeological sites in the northern Yucatan Peninsula in the following order:

1. Ek’ Balam
2. Sajal
3. Uxmal
4. Dzibilchaltun
5. Mayapan
6. Chichen Itza
7. Coba
8. Tulum

This tour will also be useful for the next archaeological site tour

Mexico is five times the size of Japan, and even just in the southern region of Mexico, there are around 30,000 confirmed archaeological sites, with 200 of them open to the public. Due to this vast scale, it’s incredibly challenging to see the entirety of Mexico in one trip.

Today’s Mexican culture is not based on a single culture but rather the complex worldview shared by the Mesoamerican civilization, which existed alongside the sudden appearance of European culture. Some parts of Mesoamerican culture mixed with European influence, while others were built upon the remains of destroyed history.

This diversity is the essence of Mexico’s multiculturalism, which adds to its charm and identity. Travelers might find it difficult to visit all archaeological sites in one trip, but I believe that the importance of historical sites isn’t solely determined by their popularity. What matters most is what each traveler feels when they visit these places.

As shown in the sample tour routes above, when you visit related locations, connections will become evident. It is only by making these connections that the full picture and essence of Mesoamerica will become clear. And undoubtedly, these elements form the foundation of modern-day Mexico.

Some may shy away from visiting archaeological sites because they find them complex. However, I believe that simply feeling the connection between these sites and modern culture can be fascinating. For instance, consider the simple examples of “food” and “crafts.” How and where were these crops first cultivated? Why are these crafts so popular in specific regions? These questions have a direct link to Mexico’s history spanning hundreds or even thousands of years.

I truly hope that you will travel to Mexico not just once but two or three times, experiencing different aspects of each region. By doing so, I believe you will feel the true charm of Mexico.

 

Photo Gallery

 

Especially recommended for the following

Of course, everyone is welcome, not just the groups mentioned above!