Xalapa's anthropology museum is a must-see in Veracruz

Joseph Sorrentino
June 28, 2023



The Xalapa museum is considered the second-most significant anthropological collection in the country, after the Museo Nacional de Antropología in Mexico City. (Photo courtesy of the author)


Seeing Olmec colossal heads in photographs is one thing. But when you stand in front of one, it’s not just their size that strikes you. It’s also their presence, one that exudes both calmness and power.

The best place to experience that presence is the Museo de Antropología de Xalapa (MAX) in Xalapa, Veracruz.

MAX is considered the second-most important anthropology museum in Mexico (the first being the Museo Nacional de Antropología in Mexico City). The first museum in Xalapa to exhibit pre-Hispanic artifacts to the public, MAX opened in 1943. A larger museum was opened on the current site in 1960, only to be torn down in 1985 to make way for an even larger museum.

The third iteration of the museum, designed by U.S. architect Raymond Gómez, opened on October 29, 1986. All of the 2,500 artifacts on display are from pre-Hispanic Veracruz civilizations: Olmec, Remojadas, Tajín, Zapotal and Huasteca.

The building has one long gallery that connects to nine smaller galleries on one side. Three of these are covered patios where prehispanic figures and altars sit among trees and plants. Beautifully landscaped grounds surround the museum.

Colossal Head Number 8 greets visitors at the entrance to the museum (the numbers signify the order in which the heads were found). Standing just over 7 feet tall, it has the same characteristics found on all of the heads: a flattened nose, thick lips and fleshy cheeks. All also have a helmet, which may have afforded protection in pelota, the ancient Mesoamerican ball game, or in battle.



Three heads (l to r), number 9 (with smile), number 3 (maybe female), number 4. (Photo courtesy of the author)

More:
https://mexiconewsdaily.com/culture/xalapas-anthropology-museum-is-a-must-see-in-veracruz/