México Before México: Ten Things You Never Knew About Ancient México

Long before México had its modern name, extraordinary civilizations were already building great cities, observing the heavens, developing sophisticated systems of mathematics, education, medicine, agriculture, art, and trade, and creating unique ways of understanding life, death, nature, and the universe. México Before México invites audiences on a fascinating journey beyond pyramids and familiar archaeological stories to discover the human side of ancient México—how people lived, learned, ate, healed, celebrated, and imagined their world. Through ten surprising stories and discoveries, the presentation will reveal not only the remarkable achievements of Mesoamerican civilizations, but also something even more compelling: the ancient past never completely disappeared. Its languages, foods, knowledge, symbols, traditions, and memories remain alive throughout México today.

About Marina Aguirre

Dra. Aguirre holds a BA in Archaeology and a Master’s degree in Ethnohistory from the Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, and a PhD in History from CIESAS (Centro de Investigación y Estudios Superiores en Antropología Social). Her academic work has focused on popular religiosity in indigenous communities, iconography, and the ways in which cultural expressions have evolved since the Spanish Colonization. She is a cultural travel specialist with over 15 years of experience leading immersive journeys across México.