1983.45.McD Eccentric flint depicting a crocodile canoe with passengers (Mexico or Guatemala, Maya)
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Maya perfected the art of chipping flint to create thin, flat blades (tok’) for sacrificial and ceremonial use.
1978.39.3 Eccentric Flint: Figure (Maya, Central Maya lowlands?, Mexico?)
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Maya perfected the art of chipping flint to create thin, flat blades (tok’) for sacrificial and ceremonial use.
1978.39.2 Eccentric Flint: Figure (Maya, Central Maya lowlands?, Mexico?)
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Maya perfected the art of chipping flint to create thin, flat blades (tok’) for sacrificial and ceremonial use.
1978.39.1 Eccentric Flint: Hand Object with Three Heads (Maya, Central Maya lowlands?, Mexico?)
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Maya perfected the art of chipping flint to create thin, flat blades (tok’) for sacrificial and ceremonial use.
1973.46 Pendant: Ruler with Jaguar Headdress (Maya, Mexico, southern Maya lowlands)
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Jade and other greenstones were the most precious materials for the ancient Maya, equivalent to emeralds and diamonds in Western culture.
1973.41 Pendant depicting an enthroned lord (Maya, Mexico or Guatemala)
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The conquest-period writers of the Chilam Balam of Chumayel, a book of prophecy and history, referred to “the flat precious stone.” Maya lords wore such stones as pectorals and belt decorations when they danced, conjured supernatural spirits, or fought in battle.
1973.35 Hacha: Man's Head with Scarification on Cheeks (Maya, Veracruz or Chiapas, Mexico)
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Hachas protruded from a padded waist belt and were part of the ballgame gear for deflecting the heavy rubber ball. This stone hacha was probably a ceremonial replica of a wooden original.
1973.33 Tripod cylinder, carved: Enthroned Lord with glyphic text (Maya, Northern Maya lowlands)
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The relief carving on this tripod vessel depicts the noble patron worshiping before the World-Tree-of-the-Center, which displayed the severed head of First Father.
1972.10.A-B Lidded Bowl with a man riding a peccary (Campeche, Mexico, Maya)
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The ancient Maya believed that the creator gods remade the cosmos on August 13, 3114 BCE, after a great flood destroyed the third creation.