Star Gods of the Ancient Americas (Exhibition)

Exist Dates

1982 December 3 - 1983 March 27

Biographical or Historical Note

abstract

Exhibition. Opened in December 3, 1982 and closed March 27, 1983. Located in Section 3, Floor 3 in Gallery 3 at the American Museum of Natural History. "Star Gods of the Ancient Americas" was an exhibition devoted to ancient Americans' fascination with the heavens.

Summary

"Star Gods of the Ancient Americas" was an exhibition devoted to ancient Americans' fascination with the heavens. Images of the sun, planets, moon and stars were depicted in the gold, turquoise, wood, stone, textiles and intricate ceramics of the exhibition's 144 artifacts. The works demonstrated the role of astronomy, astrology and cosmology in the lives of Indians of the Americas over the past 3,000 years. Highlights included a gold Peruvian calendar, a Mixtec turquoise mosaic disk, a carved Maya pottery bowl, a group of Tlingit "moon panels" and a Plains Indian Ghost Dance dress. Accompanying the exhibit was an animated film ,"Starlore, by Faith Hubley." Susan Milbrath was the guest curator of the exhibit. Organized by the Museum of the American Indian, the exhibit was supported by grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the American Can Company Foundation, and the J.C. Penny Company. The exhibit was on view in Gallery 3 of the American Museum of Natural History from December 3, 1982 through March 27, 1983. Afterwards, it travelled to Chicago's Adler Planetarium.

Individuals and institutions involved in the creation of the exhibition: The Museum of the American Indian; Susan Milbrath.

Sources

American Museum of Natural History Press Releases, April 26 and November 4, 1982. Departmental Records, 101; American Museum of Natural History Library Archives.

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Related Corporate, Personal, and Family Names

American Museum of Natural History. Gallery 3.
Location of exhibition.

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