If your family loves hands-on learning, archaeology, and immersive adventure, there’s a brand-new exhibit to add to your to-visit list – Cranbrook Institute of Science’s Mystery of the Mayan Medallion!
Step into a story that transports visitors deep into the jungles of Palenque, Mexico. In this immersive exhibit, an archaeological team has vanished while searching for a legendary jade medallion — and it’s up to you to follow the clues they left behind. Along the way, you’ll learn through hands-on exploration and playful discovery. At interactive stations throughout the exhibit, families can:
- Translate ancient glyphs and decode Mayan symbols
- Learn about rainforest biology, including how certain animals defend themselves
- Understand Mayan concepts of time and calendars
- Take rubbings from a sarcophagus replica or interpret a “battle” mural
- Visit an observatory area that highlights astro-mathematics — one of the ways ancient Mayans tracked celestial movements
In addition to the main immersive story, the Institute’s curators have paired real Mayan and Mesoamerican artifacts with the exhibit, giving visitors the rare opportunity to see authentic cultural objects up close.
The temporary exhibit runs now thru June 7th and has an admission price of $9 for adults and $7 for kids.
Cranbrook Institute of Science is open Wednesdays – Saturdays from 10am to 5pm and Sundays from 12pm to 4pm. On the first and third Friday of each month the museum is open from 10am to 10pm. General admission is $15 for adults and $11.50 for kids.
Photo credit: Facebook
