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Museum of Archeology and Anthropology

Besides cheese steaks and Rocky, Philadelphia is known for its thriving historical sites and museums that shed light on American culture and politics. Although, why not avoid the tourists at Independence Hall this weekend and delve into a history that you haven’t had instant access to… the ancient Maya culture.

UPenn’s Museum of Archeology and Anthropology are currently sharing their personal collection of Maya pottery and other artifacts via their exhibit, Painted Metaphors: Pottery and Politics of the Ancient Maya, which opened up back in April. This new exhibit features over 150 ancient artifacts, including pottery, jewelry, incense burners, figurines, musical instruments and other historical pieces that were excavated over a century ago and have recently been restored and studied. These treasured pieces depict significant Maya traditions and political turmoil.

And if you’re looking for a hands on experience (yes, even in a museum), why not try to create your own painted metaphor with inked stamps of symbols and glyphs. Or maybe you’d like to give the art of restoration a try, by carefully assembling a broken Maya vessel with magnetic pieces.

Beyond the artifacts, this exhibit also offers audio, video and photos of more recent Maya life in the village of Chama. In essence, Painted Metaphors is expressing and preserving stories of the Maya culture.

University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
3260 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
www.paintedmetaphors.org