The exhibit Mysteries of the Mayan Medallion opened at the Putnam Museum and Science Center on Saturday, Feb. 15. The exhibit, which also offers the opportunity to view the original Indiana Jones trilogy, is open through Sunday, June 1.
The traveling exhibit is sponsored locally by Arconic. It was developed by the Museum of Discovery in Little Rock, Arkansas. The exhibit takes explorers through a multitude of archaeological dig sites. Those sites prompt guests to gather clues through math, biology, glyphs, and more. The goal is to learn what happened to a group of lost scientists and a prized jade medallion.
“This exhibit is really an exciting way for people to learn about Ancient Mayan culture alongside careers that are needed for archaeological dig sites,” said Kelly Lao, the Putnam’s vice president of museum experiences. “We had a blast learning about the bugs and animals while looking for clues among all the interactive stations.”
In keeping with the exhibit’s theme, the Putnam Museum, located at 1717 W. 12th St., Davenport, also is showing the original Indiana Jones trilogy in its GIANT Screen Theater as part of its Thursday Night Movies series. “Raiders of the Lost Ark” will be featured on Feb. 20. “The Temple of Doom” can be viewed on Feb. 27. “The Last Crusade” is scheduled for March 6.
All shows start at 7 p.m. Price is $10 per ticket.
In addition, “Meg and the Lost Scepter,” an animated 3D 15-minute short film with many nods to Indiana Jones, will be playing during the museum’s regular operating hours. Short films are $3.
Enjoy interactive exploration
Visitors to the interactive Mysteries of the Mayan Medallion exhibit will follow a path through many stations. In one area, they are prompted to examine poisonous insects and animal skulls. In another, they can piece together broken pottery, or examine how light shines through Mayan buildings to keep track of the seasons.
The immersive nature of the exhibit transports guests to a jungle atmosphere with rain gods, vines, and tarantulas.
The Putnam Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate, is open seven days a week. For more than 150 years, guests have experienced the Putnam’s permanent exhibits ranging from Unearthing Ancient Egypt to family-favorite science galleries, as well as an array of programs and internationally recognized traveling exhibits. The Putnam is dedicated to helping guests discover and explore in a friendly and engaging atmosphere.
For more information, visit the museum website here.
