The monolith carved to dishonor the goddess Coyolxāuhqui is a testament to the beliefs and practices surrounding sacrifice. As the myth goes, Coyolxāuhqui was beheaded at the hands of her brother, Huītzilōpōchtli, the Mexica god of sun and war. This act of ritual sacrifice and revenge was deemed necessary to ensure the continued cycles of life, death, and rebirth—a fundamental aspect of the culture’s cosmology.

Step into the past as you walk through a replica Egyptian tomb from the First Intermediate Period. Delve deeper and wander cautiously through the passageways. Finally, stand before the empty sarcophagus pit, where a powerful pharaoh would have once lay in eternal slumber. Reflect on the significance of coffin texts, spells and incantations meant to safeguard the soul on its journey to the afterlife.

Begin your journey here for a look into the story behind the carving of Pakal's coffin lid. A look through the quatrefoils into Xibalba (the underworld) where King Pakal is being reborn from the world tree as the young maise god.

Podcast link for the archaeological look into Black Panther Wakanda Forever.

This new podcast combines the worlds of art and archaeology by looking at the symbolism and mythological importance of recurring motifs in artwork around the world. We are all the same even though we have such wonderful differences!