Maya Mythology in Ceramics
The ancient Maya created thousands of beautiful works of art, including intricately painted and carved ceramic vases or vessels. The glyphs and images painted on these ceramics contain insights into the stories told by the ancient Maya about their mythology, their creation stories, and their relationships with each other. This course examines overarching themes seen on Maya ceramic vessels to address the following questions:
- Who created Maya ceramic vessels?
- How were Maya ceramics used?
- What myths and stories can we read on ceramic vessels?
- How should we interpret these painted stories?
- How does the Popol Vuh compare to the myths shown on these ceramics?
- What are the Maya creation myths?
- How did the Maya represent animals?
- What are wayoob'? Are they demons, alter egos, animal companions, or something else?
Over the course of four hour-long sessions, Dr. Catherine Nuckols will present recent research and data that provide answers to these questions and more. The course incorporates recent academic research, vibrant photographs and videos, and the instructor's personal experience working with ancient Maya materials to provide students with the most up-to-date answers on Maya mythology.
Two live sessions will run during the four-week period: one that will meet on Wednesdays at 4pm Eastern time (first session on May 1st), and another that will meet on Thursdays at 8pm Eastern time (first session on May 2nd).
Registration is limited to a maximum of 10 participants per group to provide a personalized experience for each attendee. Enroll today to save your spot!
Your Instructor
Catherine Nuckols holds a Ph.D. in Mesoamerican Art History from Tulane University and has travelled to over 30 Mesoamerican sites and a dozen museums. She has lived in Mexico and Panama and traveled through Guatemala and Honduras. She speaks English, Spanish, Maya Ch'orti', and Dulegaya (an indigenous dialect of Panama), and is a constant learner of Mayan and Central Mexican languages. She has a passion for teaching and loves sharing what she learns with others. When she is not learning or teaching, she is probably reading, walking, or spending time with her pets, Oakley and Willow.