About The Exhibit
This exhibit was designed to showcase the Middle Postclassic ritual implements of Xaltocan’s rulers and to teach visitors about the nature of ritual practice during the Postclassic period in the Basin of Mexico. As a permanent installation, the exhibit will serve as a learning tool for generations to come.
This project was funded by a Wenner-Gren Engaged Anthropology Grant. For more information about the project, please visit the Wenner-Gren blog.
Photos
The first vitrine is in position! We ultimately decided to install the vitrines first, and then to construct the replica features (a hearth and an altar) into the vitrines once they were positioned in the museum.
Before actually constructing the replica altar, we laid out the ceramic fragments. Luckily, at 50cm x 50cm the linoleum floor squares were almost exactly the same size as the altar.
This vitrine contains the objects recovered in a large ritual deposit that may have been associated with a New Fire Ceremony.
Joel and Isidro mix dirt with water and cactus sap. This mimics a technique that was used in the past and makes a durable (concrete-like) construction material.
Isidro and Joel make final touches to the vitrines and displays the day before the opening ceremony for the exhibit.
Dr. Farah addresses the opening ceremony attendees, which included many people from the town of Xaltocan but also from nearby towns in the greater municipality (Nextlalpan).
Rather than make our own adobe bricks, as we only needed three, we decided to scavenge some from an old adobe house in Joel's backyard. The house was used until a few decades ago.
The day of the exhibit opening—and just before the doors open—the display has come together beautifully.
Flyer for the event created by Xaltocan locals working at the Casa de Cultura.