Pupils and students from Jesus Cruz' Republic of Swaziland Primary School and the Mexico City Renaissance Institute were indeed impressed by the exhibits and stories of their day at the museum.
"I see it as essential to bring visitors closer to historical materials, be it archaeological, ecological or time-lined like 'Porfiriato' (a historical period in Mexico)," added the historian.
Also visiting the museum were over 100 secondary school students, between 11 and 14 years of age, from the Benito Juarez School.
"This is our second visit, and we came of our own accord," said Maria Rosales Marquez and Agustin Bedolla, both 14, from the San Pedro Technical Secondary School.
Vargas introduced the visitors to the Sun Stone, a sacrificial altar, which is often incorrectly explained as a time-keeping device similar to a calendar.
The Maya Hall is another place that sparks the enthusiasm of students. Here, visitors would perk up for tales about the Yucatans and Tabascos, the temples and pyramids, the frescos and friezes.
"The way they explain takes you to other states of the nation, and it's fascinating to find out about their forms of government, their buildings, their cultures, clothes, weapons, foods and how they were organized," Mariana Atenea exclaimed.
From time to time, knowledgeable visitors would spot exhibit shortfalls as well.
For example, Jesus Cruz' mother, Manuela Martinez, found that Coyolxauqui was missing from among the on-display exhibits. "She was an important goddess for the Aztecs, and the hall should have her in here," she asserted.
Yet the 52,000 pieces on exhibit in the National Museum of Anthropology are viewed by visiting pupils and students as overwhelming enough to stimulate their curiosity and craving for an understanding of the history of their ancestors and their nation.
"That is where I would get to see if I have managed to get them to appreciate the pre-Hispanic arts of the country," Vargas said, who regards the museum as a touchstone of her teaching ability.
