A new special exhibition opens on 9 October 2026
MAYA – THE REALM BENEATH THE JUNGLE
The vibrant world of the Maya
For centuries, one of the great civilisations of world history lay hidden beneath the jungle. Only in recent times did traces of a vanished realm emerge in Mexico. Between trees and vines, hieroglyphs with snake heads were carved in stone. They were traces of the Snake Dynasty – the Maya’s most powerful realm.
Now we follow the traces into the jungle.
We are set to explore the vibrant world of the Maya.
The special exhibition Maya – The Realm Beneath the Jungle opens on 9 October 2026
TIME & PLACE
The Classic Maya period, c. 250-900 CE
Who were the Maya – and where did they live?
In the special exhibition, we travel from Moesgaard to Mexico.
The Maya civilisation developed without any influence from other continents. It was located in the cultural area of Mesoamerica and extended across parts of modern-day Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras and El Salvador.
The Maya wrote themselves into world history with an advanced writing system, calendars, jade masks and an impressive ability to adapt over 3,000 years.
They built magnificent cities, temple pyramids and palaces. They believed in divine rulers, and cultivated crops which still add colour to culinary experiences to this day.
INTO THE EXHIBITION
World history at Moesgaard
The great story of the Maya
Maya – The Realm Beneath the Jungle focuses on the world history of the Maya and the most powerful realm of this civilisation.
The story begins in present-day Mexico. In the jungle, you will find traces of the Snake Dynasty – the most powerful kingdom of the Maya civilisation between c. 250 and 900 CE.
The traces lead you back in time and into the colourful world of the Maya.
You walk through a lush landscape of life-giving maize fields. You visit the magnificent city of Calakmul, where you explore the luxurious palace of the ruler of the Snake Dynasty, the cosmic ball game and the great temple pyramid.
In the temple pyramid, the most precious and priceless treasures of the Maya await: jade masks giving eternal life.
MOESGAARD HIGHLIGHT
Worldclass cultural treasures
The jade masks of the Maya
The jade masks of the Maya are extraordinary and iconic artefacts. The rare masks rank among the masterworks of global cultural heritage.
At the special exhibition, the jade masks of the Maya can be experienced in Denmark for the first time. The masks are on loan from INAH (Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia), and have not previously been exhibited outside Mexico.
Jade was the most precious and sacred material in the Maya world. When powerful rulers died, they were buried with priceless jade masks that contained magical powers. Jade masks gave rulers eternal life amongst the gods.
TOGETHERNESS & FINDING OUT MORE
What can you experience in the special exhibition?
The special exhibition is a story for the whole family.
You can explore the world of the Maya through text, sound, images, scenography, video, games and fascinating finds from the past.
You can follow the snake hieroglyph of the Maya through the exhibition – it takes you through ‘The Main Story’ of the realm beneath the jungle.
You can also dive down into ‘The Deeper Layers of History’, which provide a detailed insight into Maya rituals, monuments, societies, ideas, beliefs and myths.
You can experience unique finds that nuance and illuminate the magnificent cultural history of the Maya.
RESEARCH AND KNOWLEDGE
Guided by a Maya expert
New research on the Maya culture
The special exhibition is based on the latest research on the Classic Maya period, c. 250-900 CE.
In Maya – The Realm Beneath the Jungle, one of Denmark’s leading experts in the Maya culture accompanies you as a guide.
Jesper Nielsen, PhD and Associate Professor in Mesoamerican Studies at the University of Copenhagen, shares his knowledge and that of his Mexican research colleagues on digital screens throughout the exhibition.
Moesgaard’s exhibitions and publications are always based on peer-reviewed research. Everything is curated and created in collaboration with leading professors in archaeology, anthropology and history.
The special exhibition is supported by
Open today 10:00 - 19:00