A Day at the Museum of Science, Boston

Uncle Tim portrait by Bryson

Chocolate milk is the BEST!

Makes me HAPPY!

Sculpture at the Museum of Science

Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed - 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.

Stela C

Late Classic (AD 775) Quirigua, Guatemala

A reconstruction of Temple 22 showing the stone portrait of Waxaklajuun U'baqah K'wawiil, one of eight full-body sculptures that symbolically protected the temple built in his honor.

So much to do . . . so much to learn.

Painted Stucco Bust - Classic Period (AD 250-900) - Probably Campeche or Yucatan, Mexico

The Maya decorated temples, places and other important buildings with stucco sculptures, such as this royal portrait. In keeping with Maya ideals of beauty, his nose meets his forehead in an unbroken line. Some Maya nobles may have worn removable nosepieces to help achieve this profile.

Vase Painted with Quetzal (bird) - Late Classic (AD 600-800) - Copan, Honduras

This fine vase was among the treasures traded by Maya rulers over great distances. Although archaeologists discovered the vase in an elite tomb in Copan, analysis reveals that it came from Altun Ha, hundreds of miles away in Belize.

For Maya rulers, location was very important. They often constructed new building directly on top of structures built by previous kings. Sometimes, original temples and dwellings remained intact beneath new construction. Other times, builders ritually "killed" a sacred building, then built another on top.

Seated Man with Bloodletting Bowl - Late Classic (AD 700-900) - Probably Jaina Island, Mexico

This figure is poised for a bloodletting ritual. his position in front of the deep bowl, the bloodletting knots on his head and the cloth strips in his earlobes all indicate the ritual to come.

Don't you wish that YOU were on television?

Dog Head Incense Burner - Late Classic (AD 650-750) - Copan, Honduras

All May societies kept dogs, and archaeologists often find their remains in graves. The Maya believed that dogs -- faithful companions even after death -- guided souls on the terrifying journey through the underworld.