Description of the attraction
The National Museum of Archeology and Ethnology is a government agency of Guatemala dedicated to the protection of archaeological and ethnological artifacts and research into the country's history and cultural heritage. In 1871, the government issued a decree establishing the National Museum of Guatemala, which worked until destruction during the large-scale earthquake of 1917-1918.
In 1922, a new museum was founded, and later a decree was issued to expand the institution's activities in the field of archeology, linguistics and ancient art. Since 1931, the corresponding sections have been allocated to the National Museum of Archeology and Ethnology, which is housed in the old church of El Calvario. The formation of a valuable ethnological collection began in 1937 with donations from municipal and departmental authorities. The museum collections include various archaeological artifacts from various excavations. Due to problems with the premises and inconsistencies in storage conditions, the museum moved to its current building in 1947. In 2001, the building was reconstructed, fund management was improved, the exposition included photographic and video materials, educational projects.
The museum has an extensive archaeological collection of more than 25 thousand exhibits. The permanent exhibition includes exhibitions of fabrics and textiles made in the techniques used by the Mayan peoples, the clothing of the Guatemalan Indians from San Sebastian, Huehuetenango, the village of Mam; San Pedro la Laguna and others. The process of making ceramics and necklaces, traditional dwellings of the local population are also demonstrated.
A wealth of culture and art, architecture, technology, writing and mathematics, a variety of materials are presented in thematic galleries dedicated to the life and history of the Maya.
