Mesoamerican Religion
February 15 & 22, 2026
Class Description
Over these two sessions we will look at the concept of reciprocity between Mesoamerican peoples and the supernatural. These sessions will emphasize how corn shaped this belief system, explore the story of the Maize God, discuss the rain deity, and consider the importance of the sun. We will look at the rituals these ancient peoples conducted, and the art and architecture associated with these beliefs and rituals.
About Annabeth Headrick
Annabeth Headrick is an Associate Professor of Art History at the University of Denver. She received her M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin, specializing in the art of Mesoamerica. Her early work focused on the massive city of Teotihuacan, resulting in her book, The Teotihuacan Trinity: The Sociopolitical Structure of an Ancient Mesoamerican City. This research led to her parallel interest in Chichen Itza, a Maya city that inherited many of Teotihuacan’s traditions and pushed an international agenda unlike any seen before in Mesoamerica. She is also interested in paradigms expressed throughout Mesoamerica geographically and temporally. Her research incorporates art, architecture, anthropology, and archaeology in a synthetic and comprehensive manner.