• Explanada, Museo Nacional de Antropología. INAH-DM/Enrique Garza
    Explanada, Museo Nacional de Antropología. INAH-DM/Enrique Garza
  • Plaza de acceso y fachada, Museo Nacional de Antropología. INAH-DM/Jimena Escobar
    Plaza de acceso y fachada, Museo Nacional de Antropología. INAH-DM/Jimena Escobar
  • Patio central, Museo Nacional de Antropología.  Archivo Crónica Presidencia/Nadia Castillo
    Patio central, Museo Nacional de Antropología. Archivo Crónica Presidencia/Nadia Castillo
  • Sala Mexica, Museo Nacional de Antropología. INAH-DMC/Héctor Montaño
    Sala Mexica, Museo Nacional de Antropología. INAH-DMC/Héctor Montaño
  • Piedra del sol, Museo Nacional de Antropología. INAH-DMC/Héctor Montaño
    Piedra del sol, Museo Nacional de Antropología. INAH-DMC/Héctor Montaño
  • Coatlicue, Museo Nacional de Antropología. INAH-DMC/Mauricio Marat
    Coatlicue, Museo Nacional de Antropología. INAH-DMC/Mauricio Marat
  • Tlaloc, Museo Nacional de Antropología. INAH-DM/Jimena Escobar
    Tlaloc, Museo Nacional de Antropología. INAH-DM/Jimena Escobar
  • Paraguas, Museo Nacional de Antropología. INAH-DM/Jimena Escobar
    Paraguas, Museo Nacional de Antropología. INAH-DM/Jimena Escobar
  • Sala Oaxaca, Pueblos del Sur, Museo Nacional de Antropología. INAH-DMC/Melitón Tapia
    Sala Oaxaca, Pueblos del Sur, Museo Nacional de Antropología. INAH-DMC/Melitón Tapia
  • Interior salas, Museo Nacional de Antropología.  INAH-DMC/Melitón Tapia
    Interior salas, Museo Nacional de Antropología. INAH-DMC/Melitón Tapia
  • Sala Noroeste, Museo Nacional de Antropología INAH-DMC/Melitón Tapia
    Sala Noroeste, Museo Nacional de Antropología INAH-DMC/Melitón Tapia
  • Sala Olmeca, Museo Nacional de Antropología.  INAH-DMC/Melitón Tapia
    Sala Olmeca, Museo Nacional de Antropología. INAH-DMC/Melitón Tapia
  • Coordinación Nacional de Difusión
    Coordinación Nacional de Difusión
  • Coordinación Nacional de Difusión
    Coordinación Nacional de Difusión
  • Coordinación Nacional de Difusión
    Coordinación Nacional de Difusión
  • Coordinación Nacional de Difusión
    Coordinación Nacional de Difusión
Museo Nacional de Antropología
Mexico’s most emblematic museum, and one of the world’s finest, contains an astoundingly rich archeological collection from the country’s numerous indigenous communities. A truly priceless treasure.
About the museum

More than 50 years since its inauguration, the National Museum of Anthropology remains one of most important symbols of Mexico’s national identity, and an inspiration for generations of Mexicans seeking to discover their cultural roots. Its architectural design and impressive collections have earned it the reputation as one of the world’s leading museums. On September 17, 1964, President Adolfo López Mateos opened the doors to this museum, which is set in the heart of Chapultepec Park and has a total built area of 70,000 square meters.

The museum was formerly on Moneda Street—a site now occupied by the National Museum of World Cultures—but the premises no longer met the needs for the protection, research and dissemination of the institution’s archeological and ethnographic collections. Since the beginning of the twentieth century and as part of the International Congress of Americanists, Justo Sierra referred to the commitment needed for Mexican governments to open a new museum building. Despite several attempts, this objective was only achieved in the 1960s.

Jaime Torres Bodet was the person responsible for making this museum project possible. As Minister of Public Education, he embarked on a series of policies to promote education in Mexico and drew up the a museum development plan that included the [new] National Museum of Anthropology (as well as the founding of the Museum of History, the Museum of the Viceroyalty, and the Museum of Modern Art).

During the López Mateos administration, Torres Bodet assembled a team to define the overarching concepts for the museum, setting up a board of directors to plan and build the new National Museum of Anthropology, presided by the architect Ignacio Marquina. This group worked with around 40 scientific advisors and began to operate as an independent body expertly coordinated by the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH).

Pedro Ramírez Vázquez was commissioned as the architect, and he conceived the project not as a simple collection of artefacts but a part of Mexico’s cultural heritage. Respect was therefore given to the traditions of pre-Hispanic peoples, preserving their enduring cultural values but with new solutions in keeping with contemporary techniques and materials; for example, in order to emulate pre-Hispanic temples, stone was chosen as the basic building material. The 22 permanent galleries and temporary exhibition rooms—measuring a total of 323,000 square feet—were planned around two main themes: pre-Hispanic art and the ethnographic history of Mexico’s different regions. The architect’s studio coordinated archeological and ethnographic explorations, organized the transport of large artefacts from different parts of Mexico, and supervised the transfer of the collection previously held in the museum on Moneda Street.

A team of researchers, scriptwriters, exhibition designers, education specialists, and technicians was specially assigned to each gallery. Anthropological, archeological and ethnographic criteria were reconciled to give visitors a coherent and homogeneous experience. On the ground floor, 11 galleries focus on archeology, from the first settlers in the Americas until the Mesoamerican Postclassic era (the Teotihuacan, Toltec, Maya, Mexica, Oaxaca, Gulf Coast, Western, and Northern cultures). These are arranged in chronological order around the central courtyard, starting on the right-hand side and finishing in the Mexica gallery. After the Oaxacan Cultures gallery, the displays are ordered geographically. On the second floor, ethnographic exhibits from the cultures of indigenous peoples still living in Mexico today are displayed in [a further] 11 galleries.

The “Dr. Eusebio Dávalos Hurtado” National Library of Anthropology and History—one of the largest of its kind in Latin America—is another spectacular part of this museum complex. In addition to its many works on history, anthropology, archeology, linguistics, ethnohistory and other related sciences, it is also an archive for codices, original records of the Spanish Inquisition, nineteenth-century journals and books from various religious orders (Franciscans, Dominicans, Augustinians, Jesuits, Carmelites), incunables, specialist magazines, plans, maps, annals, prayer books and engraved testimonies by people who lived during the 1910 Mexican Revolution, as well as recent research papers and theses. Works of art by leading contemporary Mexican painters and sculptors such as Rufino Tamayo, the brothers José and Tomás Chávez Morado, and Manuel Felguérez, make an invaluable addition to the overall exhibition design.

The sheer size of the collection held by the National Museum of Anthropology makes it hard to make a shortlist of artefacts. However, the most representative displays include the Monolito de Tláloc (“Monolith of Tláloc”), standing guard outside the entrance: the Piedra del Sol (“Sun Stone”), a colossal monument with a solar disk caved as a series of concentric rings with various elements; the Piedra de Tízoc (“Tízoc Stone”), a round sculpture with a sculpted image on the top side and a cavity at the center; the Olmec Cabeza Colosal 6 (“Colossal Olmec Head 6”), carved out of volcanic rock; a Chac Mool in his customary position, lying down with his arms and legs bent, and his head turned completely to one side; the Atlante de Tula (“Tula Atlas”), a Toltec column that supported the roof of Pirámide B (“Pyramid B”) of this pre-Hispanic site; the Máscara de Pakal (“Pakal’s Mask”), made out of around 200 jade pieces, some of which were sculpted to form the forehead, cheeks and particularly the nose, eyelids and lips; shell was used for the eyes and obsidian for the iris.

More than 50 years since its inauguration, the National Museum of Anthropology remains Mexico’s most iconic repository of the country’s indigenous legacy, as well being as a world-class museum thanks to the quality of its construction, innovative design, art, and symbolism.

September 1964
Sn-7-Museo_Nacional_de_Antropologia-Fototeca_Constantino_Reyes-Valerio
INAH-Fototeca Constantino Reyes-Valerio
Sn-3-Interior_Museo_Nacional_de_Antropologia-Fototeca_Constantino_Reyes-Valerio-INAH
INAH-Fototeca Constantino Reyes-Valerio
DISCURSO_DE_INAUGURACION
INAH-Museo Nacional de Antropología
379601
INAH-Museo Nacional de Antropología
229043
INAH-Museo Nacional de Antropología
08_visitantes_del_MNA
INAH-FN/Nacho López
Practical information
Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00 hrs.

$95.00 pesos

  • Extra fee for video cameras
  • Extra fee for photo cameras
  • Sundays free for Mexican citizens
  • Free entrance for Mexicans under 13 years old
  • Free entrance for Mexican students and teachers
  • Free entrance for Mexican senior citizens
  • No Smoking
  • No entry with food
  • Pets not allowed
Avenida Paseo de la Reforma y Calzada Gandhi s/n,
Colonia Chapultepec Polanco,
Delegación Miguel Hidalgo, C.P. 11560,
Ciudad de México, México.

By public transport: Metro Auditorium (Line 7) and Metro Chapultepec (Line 1). The Museum is located approximately 1.3 km from the stations.

By bicycle: you can plan your route with the ECOBICI system in Mexico City at https://www.ecobici.df.gob.mx. Bicycle parking is located below the main concourse.


Services
  • Accesibilidad
  • Audio guías
  • Biblioteca
  • Cafetería
  • Estacionamiento
  • Guardarropa
  • Librería
  • Módulo de información
  • Restaurante
  • Tienda
  • Visitas guiadas
  • +52 (55) 4040 5300
  • This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • WWW
  • TWITTER
Directory
Director Museo Nacional de Antropología
Antonio Saborit
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
+52 (55) 4040 53 00 Ext. 412337
Subdirección Técnica
Miguel Zinden Montalvo
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
+52 (55) 4040 53 00 Ext. 412336
Subdirección Administrativa
Juan Martínez Martínez
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
+52 (55) 4040 53 00 Ext. 412380
Subdirección de Arqueología
Martha Margarita Carmona Macías
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
+52 (55) 4040 53 00 Ext. 412393
Subdirección de Etnografía
Arturo Gómez Martínez
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
+52 (55) 4040 53 00 Ext. 412408
Subdirección de Museografía
Arturo Balverde Preciado
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
+52 (55) 4040 53 00 Ext. 412424
Subdirección de Protección de Bienes Culturales
Armando Édgar Arbide Maldonado
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
+52 (55) 4040 53 00 Ext. 412350
Departamento de Promoción Cultural
Jorge Arturo Ruvalcaba Salazar
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
+52 (55) 4040 53 00 Ext. 412308
Departamento de Recursos Humanos
Juan Carlos Morales Osorio
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
+52 (55) 4040 53 00 Ext. 412326
Departamento de Control Presupuestal
Gabriel Victorio Contla Maldonado
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
+52 (55) 4040 53 00 Ext. 412316
Departamento de Informática
Sergio Ángel Torres Rosales
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
+52 (55) 4040 53 00 Ext. 412302
Departamento de Movimiento de Colecciones Arqueológicas
Jonathan Enoch Jiménez Delgado
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
+52 (55) 4040 53 00 Ext. 412305, Ext. 412306
Departamento de Actualización y Conservación de Elementos Museográficos
Humberto Valentín González
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
+52 (55) 4040 53 00 Ext. 412326
Departamento de Servicios Generales
Óscar Ibarra Vega
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
+52 (55) 4040 53 00 Ext. 412426
Departamento de Servicios Educativos
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
+52 (55) 4040 53 00 Ext. 412326
6016
Museo Nacional de Antropología
Almena Tláloc
Colección arqueológica
Museo Nacional de Antropología
Museo Nacional de Antropología
6824
Museo Nacional de Antropología
5028
Museo Nacional de Antropología
Museo Nacional de Antropología
6335
Chac mool. Sebastian
Exposición Temporal
2023
2023
26262
Museo Nacional de Antropología
Un consejo para la Paleontología
Exposición Temporal
2023
2023
26225
Museo Nacional de Antropología
2022
24037
Museo Nacional de Antropología
Museo Nacional de Antropología
MNA_2021_1
IMG_1832
Plaza de acceso y fachada, Museo Nacional de Antropología. INAH-DM/Jimena Escobar
ccp_NadiaCastilla17
Patio central, Museo Nacional de Antropología. Archivo Crónica Presidencia/Nadia Castillo
DSC_6256FOTOS_HECTOR_MONTANO_INAHJPG
Sala Mexica, Museo Nacional de Antropología. INAH-DMC/Héctor Montaño
PIEDRA_DEL_SOL_FOTO_DMC_INAH_H_MONTANO
Piedra del sol, Museo Nacional de Antropología. INAH-DMC/Héctor Montaño
COATLICUE_FOTO_DMCINAHM_MARAT_2
Coatlicue, Museo Nacional de Antropología. INAH-DMC/Mauricio Marat
IMG_0056
Tlaloc, Museo Nacional de Antropología. INAH-DM/Jimena Escobar
IMG_1877
Paraguas, Museo Nacional de Antropología. INAH-DM/Jimena Escobar
DSC_1032_S-OAXACA_45
Sala Oaxaca, Pueblos del Sur, Museo Nacional de Antropología. INAH-DMC/Melitón Tapia
DSC_0624
Interior salas, Museo Nacional de Antropología. INAH-DMC/Melitón Tapia
Sala_noroeste_Meliton_Tapia
Sala Noroeste, Museo Nacional de Antropología INAH-DMC/Melitón Tapia
DSC_0140-Sala_Olmeca_2
Sala Olmeca, Museo Nacional de Antropología. INAH-DMC/Melitón Tapia
20240228_Inauguracion_de_Salas_etnograficas_de_Fiestas_y_Textiles_en_el_MNA_Foto_Mauricio_Marat,_INAH_6
Coordinación Nacional de Difusión
20240228_Inauguracion_de_Salas_etnograficas_de_Fiestas_y_Textiles_en_el_MNA_Foto_Mauricio_Marat,_INAH_12
Coordinación Nacional de Difusión
20240228_Inauguracion_de_Salas_etnograficas_de_Fiestas_y_Textiles_en_el_MNA_Foto_Mauricio_Marat,_INAH_39
Coordinación Nacional de Difusión
20240228_Inauguracion_de_Salas_etnograficas_de_Fiestas_y_Textiles_en_el_MNA_Foto_Mauricio_Marat,_INAH_40
Coordinación Nacional de Difusión
19.426307, -99.186300
Texto © CONACULTA.INAH.Museo Nacional de Antropología CNME Imágenes © CONACULTA.INAH.Dirección de Medios.Mauricio Marat © CONACULTA.INAH.Dirección de Medios.Héctor Montaño © CONACULTA.INAH.Fototeca CNME.Gliserio Castañeda
Coordinación Nacional de Museos y Exposiciones
68
COM_CCK_AAA
9
Explanada, Museo Nacional de Antropología. INAH-DM/Enrique Garza

LEGAL NOTICE

The contents of this website belong to the Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia de México, and may be downloaded and shared without alterations, provided that the author is acknowledged and if is not for commercial purposes.

Footer MediatecaINAH

Guardar
Lugares INAH

Idioma