The Jade Museum at Jade Maya is well worth a visit. If you’re lucky you may be given the free tour by Mary Lou Ridinger, Guatemala’s leading jade archaeologist. In 1975, In partnership with her late husband Jay Ridinger, theydiscovered three distinct sources for jadeite in the Motagua River valley of Guatemala, and also discovered tools and other indications that pre-Columbian Maya artisans had worked the material at the source site.
During the talk, you will learn the history of jade which goes back 3500 years to the Mayas, the 25 natural colours that make Guatemalan jade so unique. Displays of Maya jade funeral masks and jewellery are shown and described.
You then go through and visit the Linda Schele Museum. She was an American Mesoamerica American archaeologist who was an expert in the field of Maya epigraphy and iconography She played an invaluable role in the decipherment of much of the Maya Hieroglyphs. You will see the Guatemalan jade timeline and see examples of hieroglyph translations.
Finally, you will be able to spend time in the jade workshop and see modern-day techniques in cutting and polishing jade.
Address: 4a Calle Oriente #34
Tel: 7931-2400
Hours: 9AM-6PM Every day
Website: jademaya.com
