1458604800


Houston Museum of Natural Science

Shamans and the Supernatural World, Pre-Columbian Iconography of Peru by Ed Barnhart

Tuesday, Mar. 22, 2016

06:30 PM
US/Central

Traditional writing did not exist in ancient South America, so the messages encoded in tens of thousands of beautiful pieces of Pre-Columbian art are the vital clues to understanding the peoples and cultures. The groundbreaking work of Dr. Edwin Barnhart has unlocked the meanings and iconography of pre-Columbian Peru which have been a mystery for centuries.

Revealing shamanic healing ceremonies, the calling of supernatural spirits, and how decapitation is not execution, but actually about enslaving the souls of one's enemies, Dr. Barnhart will present a fascinating reinterpretation of ancient Peruvian art. Warfare, human sacrifice, erotic sex and a pantheon of bizarre deities, most importantly the Fanged Deity, the themes that the ancient artists intended to convey have a deeper meaning-one of the shamanic ability to contact the supernatural world.

 

About the Lecture

Dr. Edwin Barnhart is a renowned Latin American archaeologist.  He is the Director of Maya Exploration Center and fellow of the Explorer Club. During his over 20 years in Latin American archaeology he has discovered the ancient city of Ma'ax Na in Belize, mapped over 4,000 ancient buildings, and published over a dozen articles and books.

Related Links

Learn more here.

HOURS & ADMISSION

  • Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm (last entry at 4:30 pm)
    Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 9:00 am - 6:00 pm (last entry at 5:30 pm)
    Free Tuesdays (not available on Feb. 20 or May 7, 2024), 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm (last entry at 7:30 pm)
    Holiday hours may differ. Please check www.hmns.org/visit/hours-and-pricing for information.
  • Tickets $18, Members $12

Directions & Parking

  • Paid Parking
  • Street Parking
  • Parking is available in our 6-story garage located on Caroline just south of Hermann Drive. The parking garage is $10 for museum members and $30 for all others. Some free parking is available near the Museum entrance and in Hermann Park. Click here for details.

Special Offers / Dining

Our dining program features two locations serving up a broad range of cuisine—everything from hamburgers to artisan sandwiches.

Please note: Food and beverages are not allowed inside the Museum exhibit halls or theaters.

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