Maya Lecture Series
Join us as we explore the Maya culture through a short series of lectures.

 

September 6, 2012 "It's the End of the World as We Know it and I Feel Fine:" Maya 2012 Predictions Decoded Presented by Dr. Michael Callaghan, Assistant Professor in Anthropology, Southern Methodist University. Lecture at 3:00pm and repeated at 6:00pm
Since the publication of a number of popular archaeology and New Age religious texts in the mid 1960s, the date of December 21, 2012 has increasingly become an important day in the collective consciousness of the western world. The significance of the day is said by many to rest on the importance given it by the ancient Maya of Mesoamerica who allegedly calculated it as the last day of one of their many calendrical systems. In this lecture we will learn about the ancient Maya of Mesoamerica, how the date of December 21, 2012 fits into the context of their many complicated calendrical systems and culture, and what (if anything) this date means for the future of the western world.
September 13, 2012 Maya Religion in the 21st Century Presented by Dr. Garrett Cook, Professor of Anthropology, Baylor University. 3:00pm Modern Maya religion is a hybrid of Catholicism and ancient Maya beliefs and rituals. Their ancient gods have been replaced with Spanish saints but the stories of these saints only slightly resemble those of their European counterparts. Dr. Cook will discuss how the Maya religious tradition is responding to the 21st Century.
The Dance of the Monkeys: A Video Documentary of a Maya Medicine Society Presented by Dr. Garrett Cook, Professor of Anthropology, Baylor University. 6:00pm The performance of the Monkey Dance combines a belief that supernatural powers are transmitted from the spirits of the monkey, jaguar, and cougar depicted in the dance. The dancers are thought to be possessed by those animals they are representing. This acrobatic performance is part of an eighteen-year commitment to a vow made to ancestors and patron saints. Dr. Cook will discuss the practice and show video clips from a performance of this dance.   Lectures are free of charge and open to the public; however seating is limited. For more information call (254)710-7981.

 

 

 

Encounters with the Maya Continues Through September 23

 

Encounters with the Maya Featuring "Mystery of the Mayan Medallion" and "Painted Metaphors" June 23, 2012 - September 23, 2012 Join Baylor University's Mayborn Museum for its final month of Encounter's with the Maya. Discover the secrets of the Ancient Maya before it is too late!

 

 

 

Web Quest to Learn More About Chocolate

Did you know that the plant we get chocolate from grows in Central America? Test your knowledge about Maya and chocolate by exploring our web quest. Complete the web quest and you can receive a certificate naming you as an Official Mayborn Museum Maya Adventurer.

 

 

 

 

Teacher and homeschool parents book your educational program now.

The Mayborn Museum is the perfect place for your school's field trip! The Mayborn Museum offers 1-2 hour(s) of programming, depending on the grade level and topic you choose for your group. All of our programs provide the opportunity to touch, explore, and investigate exhibits linked to natural science and cultural history.

Programs are offered September 4, 2012 through May 31, 2013 (excluding weekends and holidays).To schedule a school program, please call 254-710-7526 between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

For more information, click here to download our brochure. (Adobe Acrobat Reader required)

Special Events

Free Sunday Program
Our Free Sunday Program continues on September 2, 2012 thanks to the support of our sponsor Waco Habitat for Humanity ReStore.

Baylor University's Mayborn Museum would like to thank
Kohl's for sponsoring August's Free Sunday.

Join us as we welcome everyone to the museum with no admission charge.

 

 

Museum Store

Are you a Baylor Bear? Our museum store is stocked to help any bear look their best for the new semester and the new football season. Check out our green and gold jewelry, football helmets, flip-flops, and much more!

Stay Connected

Facebook & Twitter
The Mayborn Museum is now on Facebook and Twitter. Fans and followers of the museum can participate in fun activities like Mystery Object Monday and Trivia Thursday. Become a fan on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest updates...
 

Coming Soon

Autumn Celebration in the Historic Village
October 27, 2012

Join us in the Governor Bill and Vara Daniel Historic Village for special events and activities relating to life in the 1890's. More details to follow in the next newsletter.