Leonardo López Luján began his professional archaeological trajectory at the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) in 1988. He currently directs the Templo Mayor Project in Mexico City, a role he has held since 1991, overseeing multiple excavation seasons that examine the religious, political, and artistic dimensions of pre-Hispanic societies in Central Mexico.
Academic Foundation
López Luján completed his undergraduate studies at the National School of Anthropology and History (ENAH) between 1983 and 1987. Under the supervision of Eduardo Matos Moctezuma, he focused his initial thesis on the offerings of the Templo Mayor of Tenochtitlan. Later, he pursued doctoral research at Paris Nanterre University, where his 1998 dissertation on the religious anthropology of the House of Eagles earned highest honors.
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His career includes extensive participation in scientific excavations across various Mexican states, including Chiapas, Guanajuato, and Quintana Roo, as well as projects in Ecuador. Since becoming director of the Templo Mayor Project in 1991, he has led seven field seasons. Beyond his primary work in Tenochtitlan, he collaborated on the Xalla Palace project at Teotihuacan and contributed to the Pyramid of the Moon excavations alongside Rubén Cabrera and Saburo Sugiyama.
Professional Appointments and Curatorial Work
López Luján has served as a visiting research fellow at Princeton University, Harvard University’s Dumbarton Oaks, and the Institut d’Études Avancées in Paris. His teaching roles span from the National School of Conservation, Restoration, and Museography to the University of Rome–La Sapienza. He has curated numerous exhibitions globally, including displays at the British Museum and the Tokyo National Museum, focusing on themes such as polychromed sculpture and the role of sacrifice in Mexica society.
Distinctions and Membership
Recognition of his scholarship includes election to El Colegio Nacional in 2018 and receipt of the 2024 National Prize for Arts and Sciences. He holds memberships in the British Academy, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the Society of Antiquaries of London. His accolades also include a Guggenheim Fellowship awarded in 2000.
Fast facts
- Born: 1964, Mexico City
- Primary Occupation: Archaeologist and historian
- Current Role: Director, Templo Mayor Project
- Doctorate: Paris Nanterre University
- Guggenheim Fellowship: 2000
- National Prize for Arts and Sciences: 2024
Questions readers ask
What is the primary focus of López Luján's research?
He investigates the religion, politics, and artistic traditions of pre-Hispanic Central Mexican societies, with specific attention to sacred architecture and sacrificial practices.
Which major excavation project does he lead?
Since 1991, he has directed the Templo Mayor Project under the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH).
Achievements
- Held posts at Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia, University of Arizona and University of Paris
- Educated at Paris Nanterre University and University of Paris
- Fields of research: archaeology
