Traveling Exhibition About Maya Civilization Makes Texas Premiere

They are one of the most sophisticated and powerful civilizations of all time and now their story is coming to San Antonio in the largest exhibition to be brought to a San Antonio museum in the city's history. Starting May 14 at the Witte Museum, archaeologists are sharing the secrets about the Maya for the first time in a singular and unforgettable museum experience. Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed is the first exhibition at the Witte's new Mays Family Center.

"The Witte is breaking the mold with the Mays Family Center, and it is only fitting to have this world-class exhibition open San Antonio's new cultural gem," says Marise McDermott, President and CEO of the Witte Museum. "Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed beautifully represents the impact the Maya had on the world we live in today. The exhibition is immersive, so that entire families can experience the way Mayans lived, learning their calendars, mathematics, and cosmology through interactive opportunities. The exhibition is massive, the largest ever at the Witte, so we recommend scheduling a longer than average time to enjoy the exhibition, demonstrations and programs."

Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed brings together hundreds of authentic artifacts displayed in more than a half-dozen immersive environments. In this 10,000 square foot exhibit, visitors will have the opportunity to learn how the Maya built their towering temples and created their intricate calendar system. There are hands-on activity stations where the whole family can build arches, decipher hieroglyphs and learn drilling techniques. Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed uses a combination of authentic artifacts along with multimedia and interactive, hands-on activities to reveal our deep ties to this astonishing civilization.

The exhibition was designed to give visitors a glimpse at a cross-section of Maya life from divine kings who ruled powerful cities to the artisans and laborers who formed the backbone of Maya society. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see spectacular examples of Maya artistry made by masters of their craft, along with objects from everyday life combined with a look at the scientific work being carried out at key Maya sites across Central America and Mexico.

The Witte Museum has enhanced the Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed experience with gallery interactives and Gallery Theater performances featuring Ixchel, the Maya goddess of fertility, motherhood and the moon. Visitors will be able to follow Ixchel through the exhibit and learn how the Maya charted and predicted astronomical phenomena.

Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed opens on May 14 with a special ceremony featuring Grupo Pakal, which will be celebrating the Maya culture through ancient ceremonial dance rituals. Grupo Pakal will also offer programming throughout the day for visitors of all ages.

Tickets are $8 Members, $10 Non-Members, plus General Admission. Tickets are available for purchase at www.WitteMuseum.org or by calling 210.357.1910.

For more information call 210.357.1900 or visit www.WitteMuseum.org.

Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed is generously supported by the Orr Family Foundation and the City of San Antonio Department for Culture and Creative Development. The Mind of the Maya Series is presented by The Orr Family Foundation.

About the Witte Museum

Founded in 1926, the Witte Museum is located on the banks of the San Antonio River in Brackenridge Park and is San Antonio's premier museum promoting lifelong learning through innovative exhibition, programs and collections in natural history, science and South Texas heritage. The Witte hosts an average of 350,000 visitors each year, of which over 150,000 are school-aged children and 80,000 are free of general admission during weekly Free Tuesdays hours.