Guatemala City - Museum Popol Vuh presents a unique series of conferences about the ancient Mayans. This course provides an introduction to the Mayan mythology and its application in the interpretation of prehistoric art. It is based on the comparative study of the mythological narratives preserved until today, reviews of some of the fundamental mythological themes and their manifestations in the pre-Hispanic art. During the course the emphasis will be placed on the need for a broad comparative perspective of Mesoamerica, which identifies the key issues, both in the mythological stories and in their art. Finally, it takes into consideration the problems of the relationship between myth and history in ancient Mesoamerica, and reflects on them.
Course Content Summary:
- Mythology in the Mesoamerican religious traditions
- Written sources, oral storytelling and art Prehispanic
- The Popol Vuh
- The origin of maize
- The origin of the Sun and Moon
- The origin of war and sacrifice
- Myth and history in Mesoamerica
Required reading prior: Popol Vuh (any edition).
Course taught by Archaeologist Oswaldo Chinchilla
Dates: 4, 6, 11, 13, 18, 20, 25 and May 27 (8 sessions, Monday and Wednesday)
Time: 6:00 p. m. 8:00 p. m.
Place: Museo Popol Vuh
Universidad Francísco Marroquin
6 calle final, Zona 10
www.popolvuh.ufm.edu
Source and Picture: Museo Popol Vuh
