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The hall features artifacts that highlight the achievements in pottery and stone sculpture during the years 2300 BC to AD 100. The Acrobat from Tlatilco, a fine vase, is displayed here.

The finely crafted artistic, religious, and architectural objects displayed in the hall reflect the skills of the craftsmen, artisans, and builders of this first great Mexican city. The craftsmen depicted deities in stone carvings, finely painted murals, and on intricately decorated vessels. The huge monolith of the goddess Chalchiuhtlicue is one of the highlights of the hall.

This hall displays art objects from the great Toltec city-states that developed from 850–1250. The sculpture of a bearded warrior emerging from the mouth of a coyote can be seen here.

The museum’s largest hall is filled with impressive monoliths and finely crafted objects representative of the immense diversity of Aztec culture. The centerpiece is the intricately carved Sun Stone, a circular disk representing the Mexica cosmos.

This hall show­cases artifacts from the two cultures that flourished in Oaxaca – Zapotec and Mixtec. There is a reconstruction of the Zapotec Tomb of Monte Albán and many elegant clay vessels with various figures on them. The Mixtec collection features silver and gold pieces, and carved jade and obsidian.

The Olmecs are known for the colossal stone head sculptures of their leaders, two of which are in this hall. Also displayed are stone masks and sculptures.

Exquisite examples of highly decorated temple architecture and fine artistic creations of Mayan civilization fill the hall. There are also many stucco figures that illustrate the Mayan ideal of human beauty.

This hall displays artifacts from western Mexico, including pottery figurines and vessels of unusual com­plexity and fine design. The hunchbacked figure of a god on a serpent is notable.

The hall features artifacts from northern Mexico. Pottery, masks, and weapons form the largest portion of the collection. The highlight is the finely formed decorated pottery from Paquimé featuring red or black designs on cream-colored vessels.

The second floor of the museum is filled with brilliantly colored textiles, costumes, and art of the indigenous people from all regions of Mexico. Cultures are organized by state and in relation to the anthropology halls downstairs.