Medieval Queens of the Americas
Elite Maya Women Building Dynasties in the Classic Period
Presented by Karrie Porter Brace, chief exhibits curator, ASU Libraries
Arizona Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies Scholar Series Lecture and Brown Bag
Popular perceptions of ancient cultures of the Americas evoke images of mysterious ruined cities abandoned in lush tropical jungles. However, these places were actually centers of powerful polities comprised of learned people who understood advanced engineering, astronomy, and the arts. The interconnectedness of these polities was established though coronation, competition, conflict, and cooperation — especially forged by the relationships and agendas of women in elite Maya families. Learn more about these ancient Maya women who made history that was carved in stone and depicted in the art of their time.
Karrie Porter Brace has extensive experience in cultural resource management from over two decades in museums and anthropology. Her curatorial work and fieldwork in North and Central America focuses on cultures of the Ancient Americas. She has served in all operation capacities from docent to director in several institutions in the Midwest and Southwest. She is currently chief exhibits curator for the ASU Libraries, past co-chair of the Library Exhibits Committee and past co-chair of the Museum, Galleries, and Collections Committee. Karrie is also currently a surveyor and peer reviewer for the Museum Assessment Program of the American Alliance of Museums.