The California Science Center proudly presents Maya: The Exhibition, featuring over 250 authentic artifacts—many on tour outside of Guatemala for the first time—highlighting the ancient Maya civilization of Mexico and Central America. Enhance your experience by seeing the IMAX movie Mystery of the Maya and join an archaeologist and young Maya descendant as they unlock the secrets of the past.
Marvel at a majestic 9-foot-long sculpture of a jaguar warrior and gaze into a magnificent mask made of obsidian and jade. Through priceless artifacts and hands-on exhibits, discover how the ancient Maya built and sustained complex cities in the heart of the rainforest.
With roots extending back 3,000 years, learn how the Maya live on today—in their inventions that continue to shape our daily lives and the millions of people who carry on the Maya tradition in language and lineage.
General admission to the Science Center is included with your Maya exhibition ticket.
Abre el 2 de abril de 2023
El California Science Center se enorgullece en presentar Maya: The Exhibition—una impresionante exhibición de más de 250 artefactos auténticos, muchos de los cuales se exhiben por primera vez fuera de Guatemala. Estos destacan el auge, la caída y el legado de la civilización maya de México y América Central. Mejora tu experiencia viendo la película IMAX Mystery of the Maya y únete a un arqueólogo y a un joven descendiente maya mientras descubren los secretos del pasado.
Maravíllate ante la majestuosa escultura de un guerrero jaguar de más de 3 metros de largo (9 pies) y contempla una magnífica máscara de obsidiana y jade. A través de artefactos de valor incalculable y exhibiciones prácticas, descubre cómo los antiguos mayas construyeron y mantuvieron ciudades complejas.
Con raíces que se remontan a 3,000 años atrás, descubre cómo los mayas perduran en la actualidad: con sus inventos, que siguen dando forma a nuestra vida cotidiana, y con los millones de personas que mantienen la tradición maya en su lengua y su linaje.
La entrada general al Science Center está incluida con tu boleto de la exhibición Maya.
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Maya: The Exhibition is developed by MuseumsPartner in Austria, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Sports of the Government of the Republic of Guatemala and La Ruta Maya Foundation.
See it in IMAX
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Image attribution
K2 Studios
Enhance your exhibition experience by seeing Mystery of the Maya in our state-of-the-art IMAX Theater!
Join an archaeologist and a young Maya descendant through ancient ruins as they unlock the secrets of the past. Add tickets for Maya: The Exhibition and IMAX movie Mystery of the Maya to your shopping cart to activate special savings!
PHOTOS
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Royal BC Museum
Models of the Two Big Pyramids in the Main Square in Tikal
One of the great cities of the Maya, Tikal was built in the rainforest of northern Guatemala. At its peak, it was home to as many as 100,000 people. In this exhibit, you are encouraged to walk your fingers up the steps of the pyramids.
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Image attribution
Jorge Pérez de Lara
Jade Mosaic Mask
Mask made of obsidian and jade, a precious stone that held great spiritual significance to the Maya.
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Royal BC Museum
The Jaguar Man
Sculpture of a jaguar warrior measuring over 9 feet long. The jaguar was highly revered in Maya religion.
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Image attribution
Royal BC Museum
Model of Panel Showing a King with Two Lesser Lords
Royals were more than just human. After taking the throne, kings and queens became half-god, dressing in luxurious clothes and jewelry that set them apart from the common people. They were members of huge dynasties, some claiming they could trace their ancestors back 100,000 years. In this exhibit, you are encouraged to touch the panel replica and feel the detail of the carvings.
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Image attribution
Royal BC Museum
Maya Politics
Explore how the Maya government built alliances, memorialized their rulers, and celebrated their conquests.
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Image attribution
Jorge Pérez de Lara
Stone Panel from Hix Witz
Stone panel features intricately carved Maya hieroglyphs.
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Image attribution
Royal BC Museum
Model of a Stone Panel
Maya script, or writing, was a powerful technology. It was a gift from creator god Itzamnaaj. Kings used written word to develop their authority, and astronomers used it to map time itself. The Maya used glyphs for 2,500 years, but the meanings of their symbols were lost when their codices (books) were destroyed by Spanish missionaries. Scholars were able to crack the code again just 30 years ago. In this exhibit, touch the replica and trace the glyphs with your fingers.
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Image attribution
Royal BC Museum
Maximon
Maximon is a folk saint—a combination of a Catholic saint (San Simón) and the ancient Maya lord of the underworld. In contemporary Maya belief, Maximon is a powerful being who lives in a hidden palace where he drinks alcohol and smokes cigars. He is considered the protector of maize, cacao, and fertility.
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Image attribution
Jorge Pérez de Lara
Ceramic Censer
Incense burner in the shape of the Old Goddess.
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Image attribution
Royal BC Museum
Writing on the Walls
Maya writing was highly advanced. It was used to express the complexities of Classic Mayan, the language spoken by nobles and priests. Scribes wrote on every available surface. Preserved texts have been found on stelae (stone slabs) altars, stairways, and wall panels. Maya scribes also created accordion-style books (codices), using brushes to inscribe the folded bark paper. With this touch screen experience, find out more about the Maya's sophisticated hieroglyphic writing.
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Image attribution
Royal BC Museum
Models of the Two Big Pyramids in the Main Square in Tikal
One of the great cities of the Maya, Tikal was built in the rainforest of northern Guatemala. At its peak, it was home to as many as 100,000 people. In this exhibit, you are encouraged to walk your fingers up the steps of the pyramids.
Image
Image attribution
Jorge Pérez de Lara
Jade Mosaic Mask
Mask made of obsidian and jade, a precious stone that held great spiritual significance to the Maya.
Image
Image attribution
Royal BC Museum
The Jaguar Man
Sculpture of a jaguar warrior measuring over 9 feet long. The jaguar was highly revered in Maya religion.
Image
Image attribution
Royal BC Museum
Model of Panel Showing a King with Two Lesser Lords
Royals were more than just human. After taking the throne, kings and queens became half-god, dressing in luxurious clothes and jewelry that set them apart from the common people. They were members of huge dynasties, some claiming they could trace their ancestors back 100,000 years. In this exhibit, you are encouraged to touch the panel replica and feel the detail of the carvings.
Image
Image attribution
Royal BC Museum
Maya Politics
Explore how the Maya government built alliances, memorialized their rulers, and celebrated their conquests.
Image
Image attribution
Jorge Pérez de Lara
Stone Panel from Hix Witz
Stone panel features intricately carved Maya hieroglyphs.
Image
Image attribution
Royal BC Museum
Model of a Stone Panel
Maya script, or writing, was a powerful technology. It was a gift from creator god Itzamnaaj. Kings used written word to develop their authority, and astronomers used it to map time itself. The Maya used glyphs for 2,500 years, but the meanings of their symbols were lost when their codices (books) were destroyed by Spanish missionaries. Scholars were able to crack the code again just 30 years ago. In this exhibit, touch the replica and trace the glyphs with your fingers.
Image
Image attribution
Royal BC Museum
Maximon
Maximon is a folk saint—a combination of a Catholic saint (San Simón) and the ancient Maya lord of the underworld. In contemporary Maya belief, Maximon is a powerful being who lives in a hidden palace where he drinks alcohol and smokes cigars. He is considered the protector of maize, cacao, and fertility.
Image
Image attribution
Jorge Pérez de Lara
Ceramic Censer
Incense burner in the shape of the Old Goddess.
Image
Image attribution
Royal BC Museum
Writing on the Walls
Maya writing was highly advanced. It was used to express the complexities of Classic Mayan, the language spoken by nobles and priests. Scribes wrote on every available surface. Preserved texts have been found on stelae (stone slabs) altars, stairways, and wall panels. Maya scribes also created accordion-style books (codices), using brushes to inscribe the folded bark paper. With this touch screen experience, find out more about the Maya's sophisticated hieroglyphic writing.
Slider info
Image attribution
Royal BC Museum
Group Discount
Book your group visit! Groups of 15 or more people enjoy special savings by receiving one free ticket for every 15 tickets purchased. Advance reservations are required for groups. To reserve your group, please call (213) 744-2019.
Same-day ticket sales online and at the Box Office are limited and subject to availability. Advance purchase online is strongly recommended. Please arrive at least 30 minutes before your exhibition time to allow plenty of time for parking. Visit our Directions, Parking and Transportation page for more information.
Please pick up your tickets at the Box Office if you reserved your tickets over the phone and selected the Will Call delivery method. ID required for pickup.
General admission to the Science Center is included with your Mayaexhibition ticket.
General Admission Information
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In order to maintain the safety of the artifacts and for your personal comfort, we ask that all guests adhere to the following visitor policies:
BELONGINGS
Bags and carry-on items larger than 11" x 14" are not permitted inside the exhibit. The California Science Center does not provide personal property storage. This includes but is not limited to coolers, luggage, backpacks, or other types of personal property. We strongly encourage leaving large bags and other personal property at home or in your car. The California Science Center is not responsible for any personal items left unattended.
Food or drink is not permitted inside the exhibit.
CAMERAS
Please ensure that your camera activities respect the privacy of other visitors and do not distract our staff and volunteers.
No-flash photography and videography is allowed. For personal use.
Selfie sticks, tripods, stabilizers and monopods are not permitted inside the California Science Center.
Accessibility
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The exhibition is wheelchair accessible. Learn more about our accessibility and amenities.
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Royal BC Museum
Special Offers for Members
Support a dynamic educational resource and enjoy a year of special experiences, including exhibition and IMAX movie previews and ticket discounts. Join today to launch your science adventure!
