19 January 2024
18 January 2024
16 January 2024
14 January 2024
13 January 2024
Palenque Ancient Jungle Ruins
11 January 2024
Oaxaca
Archeologists have found evidence of humans dating to 11,000 BCE, nomadic peoples to 5000 BCE, and agriculture established by 2000 BCE. Ruins at Monte Alban and Mitla sites reveal one of the earliest cities of Mesoamerica as the center of the Zapotec 500 BCE to 1000 CE. Sophisticated building, writing, calendar and agricultural irrigation led to an elite society and growing urban population. The skull with the turquoise mosaic came from Monte Alban, a rare ritual object representing the lord of the underworld.
Later the Mixtec, Aztecs and the Spanish invaders and missionaries all came to the area over time. Its colonial buildings combined with its ancient and Mexican history (two Presidents came from this area), innovative textiles and handicrafts, and gastronomy such as mole negro have led to its global popularity. Large friendly skeleton figures and colorful buildings decorate the old town not only on the popular Mexican holiday of "El Dia de los Muertos" but throughout the year.
09 January 2024
Puebla
08 January 2024
Teotihuacán
07 January 2024
Museo Nacional de AntropologÃa, Mexico City
06 January 2024
Mexico City Centro Historico
At an elevation of 7,349 ft, Mexico City is estimated to be sinking up to 20 inches a year in some places. The metropolitan cathedral, built by the Spanish on top of ancient Aztec ruins, and other buildings downtown are visibly uneven. Frequent earthquakes and a nearby active volcano create other geographic risks.
Yet CDMX area is home to 22 million people. The downtown has been revitalized and its zocálo has hosted popular concerts and events as the downtown with its national palace, historic buildings, and wide boulevards handle a large volume of pedestrians.
Nearby is the Palacio des Belles Artes whose second floor exhibits many famous murals including Diego Rivera's "Man, Controller of the Universe". It was first commissioned for Rockefeller Center but when Diego Rivera refused to paint out Lenin's face for its capitalistic patron, it was destroyed and recommissioned in Mexico City.