Mesoamerica and Central America Collections

Department of Anthropology holds an exceptional collection of ancient Aztec pottery collected in the 19th century by Frederick Starr.

Middle and Central America -

This collection consists of several hundred pieces of exhibition-quality decorated pieces, a number of which have been exhibited in The Field Museum's Mesoamerican Hall. Portions of the collection were previously loaned to the National Museum of Mexican Art and the Art Institute of Chicago. As part of a scientific study in the early 1990s, microscopic quantities of clay from several pieces were analyzed using a technique known as neutron activation. This technique enabled two Field Museum Research Associates to determine the geographic origin of the pottery, which allowed the researchers to help define the nature of Aztec economic exchange during the Late Postclassic Period (ca. AD 1450-1521).

Maya Pottery Collection-The Museum's important scientific and exhibit-quality collection of Maya archaeological specimens was collected at the turn of the century from the Yucatan of Mexico and later from sites in Belize. These archaeological objects were scientifically collected (according to the standards of the time) and are valuable because there is reasonable provenance and documentation available for the entire collection.

Guatemala Collection-The Department of Anthropology holds a fine collection of contemporary Guatemalan textiles purchased and gifted to the institution throughout the 20th century. Guatemala is known for the rich diversity of its indigenous and mestizo ethnic groups and communities who express their social affiliation through dress.