Even with only one inlaid shell eye still intact, this face greets and confronts our gaze. There is a force emanating from within, penetrating us through its timeless stare. Imagine the events this extraordinary sculpture has witness: the rise and fall of civilizations, the passage of centuries buried beneath the earth, the modern discovery by archaeologists. There is no doubt this piece was as treasured in its own time as it is now. The perforated openings around the edges of the forehead show that it was probably worn either as a pectoral or a pendant. There are remnants of cinnabar on the right side of the face and the left eye, a spice highly valued and used only on the most sacred objects. The carving, typical of Mezcala art, conveys the visual essence of a human face without the intricate details of portraiture. Perhaps this represented a forgotten deity or beloved ancestor, worn around the neck like religious icons are today. This head, whoever it may be, continues to resonate a force and power worthy of a God.