Library of Congress
Earspool with Incised Glyphs (AD 200-400). Culture: Maya
This is a jade ear spool with incised hieroglyphs that are highlighted with Cinnabar. Ear spools are associated with themes of centrality and opposition in Maya art. This particular ear spool has 4 deities with bird-like features, and they each have directional symbols on their foreheads. Jade was considered a very precious stone for the Mayans and high status people could own it.
First Quechua-Spanish Dictionary and Grammar
This artifact was the first dictionary and grammar of Quechua (language of Incas) to Spanish was published in Lima in 1586. Since Pizzaro’s conquest of the Incas, this is the first published categorical attempt to translate the Quechua language to Spanish. This dictionary is of great importance since the Incas did not have a written language prior to the Spanish conquest.
The Ozototicpac Lands Map
This map was drawn around 1540 in the City of Texcoco. It was made for a court case concerning the land ownership of The Ozototicpac estate owned by Aztec ruler who was executed in 1539.It is not known who won the case. The map depicts fields, houses, palaces, trees, and measured plots of land. It also depicts 20 trees grafted with European fruit stick including apples, pears, grapes, pomegranates, and quinces.
Air and Space Museum
The International Space Station
The International Space station is collaboration between the US, Canada, Russia, Japan, Brazil, and Several European countries (ESA members). The construction of the ISS was started in 1998 and is still underway. It is primarily a research facility and place where shuttles can be patched up and refueled. The exhibit of the ISS is pictorial and has a few videos of what goes on there.
Constellation
Nasa’s constellation program plans to send humans back to the Moon, and also other areas of the solar system like Mars. The exhibit consists of pictures,models, and interactive video components that depict and describe the various parts of the program. The Ares and Orion spacecrafts are depicted. There are plans to build an outpost on the moon.
Rovers: Spirit and Oppurtunity
This mission began in 2003 and is still going on. The 2 rovers named Spirit and Opportunity were sent to Mars to explore the surface of Mars. The goal was to explore the geology of Mars, and characterize the rocks and soils, and also to find indicators of past water activity. The exhibit depicts pictures and facts about the two rovers.
Wrap Up
The exhibits at the Library of Congress cater to those who are interested in history, art, and culture. The architecture and panels are beautiful and aesthetic. The exhibits are mostly pictorial and historic. The National Air and Space Museum is directed at those with a more scientific and technological bent of mind. It focuses on historic and new aircrafts and spacecrafts. It is also more geared towards a younger audience than the Loc because it is more interactive and attention-grabbing.
Both the exhibits indicate a common human phenomenon that is the need for exploration. The European explorers of the 15th and 16th century wanted to go beyond the confines of their land and see what was out there. Now in the 21th century we feel as if we have explored and mapped out the world so we take the next step and reach out towards the cosmos.