Museum of Science Presents Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed, 10/12

Visitors to the Museum of Science, Boston will soon experience a civilization renowned for its royal dynasties, jaw-dropping architecture and distinctive art at the New England premiere of Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed.

Beginning on Sunday, October 12 and on exhibit for a limited engagement, Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed investigates questions surrounding the Maya, and offers a glimpse of daily life through the eyes of the powerful rulers and their subjects. The exhibit explores the rise of the Maya people, the evolution of their complex culture and the eventual decline of their remarkable civilization. Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed features more than 250 artifacts, dozens of interactive components, and re-created environments that immerse visitors in Maya culture.

At its peak during its Classic Period (250-900 AD), the Maya civilization - which consisted of a vast network of cities and villages stretching across the Yucatan Peninsula, Guatemala, Belize, western Honduras and El Salvador - rivaled any European society.

Exhibit highlights include life-size replicas of awe-inspiring temples and the iconic sculpted monuments known as stelae that were erected in the great plazas of Maya cities. Visitors will see spectacular examples of Maya artistry such as a re-created portion of a famous frieze from the El Castillo pyramid in Xunantunich, a Maya civic ceremonial center, and marvel at its size and detail, then watch as modern technology helps make its vivid colors emerge once again to their original vibrancy.

Throughout Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed, interactive elements offer visitors the opportunity to decipher ancient symbols, explore tombs and investigate the Maya approach to math and astronomy.

"Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed is the largest exhibition on the ancient Maya ever to be displayed in the United States, and furthers the Museum's commitment to bring the world's treasures to Boston," said Paul Fontaine, Museum of Science vice president of education. "Through a combination of never-before-seen artifacts, immersive environments, and hands-on activities, visitors will explore the rise and eventual decline of this important and fascinating culture. Exploring the story of the Maya through reproductions of an underworld cave, an ancient burial site, and a colorful mural room will engage visitors in this mysterious and multifaceted culture that endures today through its modern-day descendants."

In addition, visitors can round out their exhibit experience with an Omni film or Planetarium show. Opening Friday, October 10, 2014 in the Mugar Omni Theater, Mystery of the Maya investigates the clues that can be found at Maya ruins, while Galapagos delves deep into the largely unknown waters surrounding the volcanic archipelago to explore a realm that is truly a living natural science laboratory. In the Charles Hayden Planetarium, Tales of the Maya Skies reveals the story behind their astounding achievements in astronomy.

Tickets are currently available for purchase by visiting mos.org/maya or calling 617/723-2500, 617/723-0417 (TTY).

Exhibition Organizers
Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed is made possible with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities. The exhibit was produced by the Science Museum of Minnesota in partnership with the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, San Diego Natural History Museum, and the Museum of Science, Boston.

Admission to the Exhibit
Admission to Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed will be by timed ticket only and will include a separate ticket for general Exhibit Halls admission that can be used on the same day of a visit to Maya or within six months: $29 adults, $27, seniors (60+), and $25 children (3-11). Advance ticket reservations are recommended. For more information on the exhibition and complementary programming, or to reserve tickets, visit mos.org or call 617/723-2500, 617/589-0417 (TTY). Members of the Museum of Science can purchase tickets for the exhibition at a special rate of $5 for adults, seniors, and children. For more information on how to become a Museum of Science Member, call 617/589-0180 or visit mos.org.

About the Museum of Science, Boston
One of the world's largest science centers and Boston's most attended cultural institution, the Museum introduces about 1.5 million visitors a year to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) via dynamic programs and hundreds of interactive exhibits. Founded in 1830, the Museum was first to embrace all the sciences under one roof. The Hall of Human Life, a groundbreaking 10,000-square-foot exhibition drawing from the latest discoveries in the life sciences engages visitors in their own biology and health. Other highlights include the Thomson Theater of Electricity, Charles Hayden Planetarium, Mugar Omni Theater, Gordon Current Science & Technology Center, the Butterfly Garden and the new 4-D Theater. Reaching over 20,000 teens a year worldwide via the Intel Computer Clubhouse Network, the Museum also leads a 10-year, $41 million National Science Foundation-funded Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network of science museums. The Museum's "Science Is an Activity" exhibit plan has been awarded many NSF grants and influenced science centers worldwide. Its National Center for Technological Literacy's engineering curricula have reached over 76,700 teachers and 6.1 million students nationwide. The Museum has also: been recognized by Boston and Cambridge for energy and sustainability efforts; named an Employer of Choice by Work Without Limits, a Massachusetts disability employment initiative; is Yankee Magazine's "Best of New England Readers' Choice" for Cultural Attraction in Science and "Best of New England Editors' Choice" for Best Sky Show; and is El Planeta's Best Tourist Attraction for the Massachusetts Latino population. The Museum's Undiscovered Worlds was recognized as the "Best Immersive-Fulldome Program" by the Jackson Hole Science Media Awards. Visit http://www.mos.org. Follow the Museum of Science on Twitter at @MuseumOfScience or Facebook at www.facebook.com/museumofscience.