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Engaging the World

Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology

Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology / Exhibits / Temp Gallery Exhibits / Revisiting Frederick Catherwood’s Cities of the Maya / Colouring Book

Colouring Pages

Images by Carmen Kors (2018) inspired by Frederick Catherwood and the art and architecture of the ancient Maya. 

* Maya.pdf
For easy printing, download all of the images in PDF here.
Chaac is the god of rain. His likeness is recognisable on Maya buildings because of his long nose, as seen here.
This image is based on Catherwood:1844 Plate XIX "Gateway at Labná" and depicts local guides as they explore and clear the site area. You can find a modern image of the gateway in our "Labná" section. Do you see any differences between Catherwood's drawing and the recent photograph? How has the site changed in 150 years and what do you think caused the changes?
This stone is referred to as an altar, and is affiliated with Stela D at Copán. The serpent has a scaled face and skeletal face as the two-headed serpent represents the living world and the underworld.
This is based on Catherwood's 1844 illustration (Plate XXI) of Las Monjas at Chichén Itzá
Stela D depicts Copán's ruler 18 Rabbit. It is shown here with its altar, the two-headed serpent. In our Copán section on the webpage, you can find a photograph of Stela D and Catherwood's illustration of the same. See if you can spot any differences! Do you think Catherwood left certain details out? Or did time and erosion change some things?
Carmen Kors' illustration is based on Catherwood 1844: Plate XXV "Colossal Head" from his trip to Izamal, Mexico. The drawing features a stucco mask of the creator god. Itzamná also gave people writing and medicine.
This image is based on Catherwood 1844: Plate II "Pyramidal Bulding and Fragments of Sculpture at Copán." This image shows us how the jungle had taken over a once great city, and how Frederick Catherwood and John Lloyd Stephens experienced the site. Many of these sites, including parts of Copán, are now rebuilt and cleared so that visitors can experience them in a state closer to their original form rather than in ruins. What do you think it would have been like to spend so much time in the dense jungle looking for a city? What kind of wildlife might you encounter? How many monkeys can you find in this picture?
Animals are often depicted in Maya artwork. They have different representations in Maya culture. Some are sacred, some have symbolic associations like strength and leadership. The animals pictured here are based on stone relief carvings from Chichén Itzá.
Food is an integral part of every culture! Carmen Kors' picture here depicts a person making tortillas. These have been a dietary staple for hundreds if not thousands of years. 10000 years ago in central México people began growing and selecting teosinte (a grass) for larger kernels that were more starchy and very slowly, the plant evolved over time into corn. The Maya processed their corn by soaking it in water with lime. The enzymes broke down the corn and released more nutrients than they would have gotten from the corn otherwise!
Frederick Catherwood showcases the stunning detail and geometry of Puuc style architecture in his detail of the Casa Del Gobernador at Uxmal, which Carmen Kors has based this image on. Note all the dirt blocking the archway and plant growth above it that has since been cleared away! From Catherwood 1844: Plate X "Archway; Casa Del Gobernador, Uxmal".
Howler monkey, spider monkey. It is important for archaeologists to be familiar with the wildlife around a site area. Animal remains can help identify their relationships with people. Perhaps they were used as a food source, for their skins or feathers, or they were scavengers in urban areas. Some animals were domesticated as pets or livestock. And some are depicted in artwork like reliefs and paintings. If we can identify the animals and their relationships with people, we can learn more about how the ancient people lived and what they valued.
Quetzal, toucan, parrot. It is important for archaeologists to be familiar with the wildlife around a site area. Animal remains can help identify their relationships with people. Perhaps they were used as a food source, for their skins or feathers, or they were scavengers in urban areas. Some animals were domesticated as pets or livestock. And some are depicted in artwork like reliefs and paintings. If we can identify the animals and their relationships with people, we can learn more about how the ancient people lived and what they valued.
Axolotl. It is important for archaeologists to be familiar with the wildlife around a site area. Animal remains can help identify their relationships with people. Perhaps they were used as a food source, for their skins or feathers, or they were scavengers in urban areas. Some animals were domesticated as pets or livestock. And some are depicted in artwork like reliefs and paintings. If we can identify the animals and their relationships with people, we can learn more about how the ancient people lived and what they valued.

© 2018 SFU Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology, created by Jackie La Mouri. Drawings by Carmen Kors.

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