The Royal Ontario Museum presents Maya. Secrets of their Ancient World an exhibition on view in the ROM’s Garfield Weston Exhibition Hall until Monday, April 9, 2012, this original exhibition vibrantly brings to life the Classic Period (250 – 900 CE) of this ancient Mesoamerican culture.
Bowl depicting a man drinking. Ceramic, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Late Classic Period (600-900 CE). Museo Regional de Yucatán Palacio Cantón, Mexico, 10-631806. Photo: © CONACULTA-INAH, Jorge Vertiz. Reproduction authorized by the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH).
The exhibition is an international collaboration between the ROM, INAH, and the CMC. Nearly 250 artifacts have been assembled, including large sculptures, ceramics, masks, and jewellery, to illuminate the relationships between the Maya ruling class and the balance of its society. The objects also reveal numerous aspects of Maya life, which, until the end of the 19th century, had been shrouded in mystery. Maya city states, palace life, and rituals and beliefs, including a timely look at what they thought would occur in the year 2012, are all examined in the exhibition.
Most of the exhibition’s objects have been selected from numerous Mexican museums in the Yucatan Peninsula region where the Maya mainly live, while others are of the ROM’s own renowned holdings. Prominent institutions, including the British Museum, Princeton University Art Museum, and Toronto’s own Gardiner Museum have also loaned artifacts. Most of the showcased objects have never before been seen in Canada, and many, some only recently excavated, are recognized as among the most significant archaeological finds of the Maya civilization. Among these is the limestone Tablet of the Warriors from Temple XVII depicting a captured warrior kneeling in front of a king from Palenque. Following painstaking conservation efforts by ROM and INAH colleagues, the object’s three panels have been brought together for the first time and make their public debut at the ROM.
Janet Carding, the ROM’s Director and CEO, states, “This ancient culture, one of astonishing achievement. has long held deep fascination and its allure persists to this day. The more we learn of the Maya, the more our admiration grows. In collaboration with our partners, the CMC and INAH, the ROM is pleased to present a collection of notable artifacts conveying the Maya story, one that is evolving to the present day.”
Dr. Justin Jennings, Curator of New World Archaeology in the ROM’s World Cultures department and the ROM’s exhibition curator, says, “Our inclusion of recently excavated artifacts from the famed city centre, Palenque, is particularly exciting. Some of these have never before been publicly displayed, not even in Mexico. Others rarely travel; among these are two exquisitely carved stone doorway lintels, loaned by the British Museum, vividly depicting the blood sacrifices performed by Maya nobles.”
“Ontario welcomes this truly international exhibit presented at the ROM, a truly international museum! Maya: Secrets of their Ancient World will attract visitors from within our borders and beyond as audiences explore a civilization that has impacted, influenced and inspired generations,” said Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism and Culture. “The McGuinty Government commends the international collaboration and cooperation undertaken by Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History, the Canadian Museum of Civilization, and the ROM for their efforts in sharing an ancient and honoured history with the people of Ontario.”
Following the ROM’s engagement, the exhibition travels to the Canadian Museum of Civilization from May 18 to October 28, 2012.
Visit www.rom.on.ca/maya for full exhibition details.