The summit of the classical age in Ancient Mesoamerica was reached by the Maya in their great temple cities. In those temple cities, great artistic expressions such as murals and...
The summit of the classical age in Ancient Mesoamerica was reached by the Maya in their great temple cities. In those temple cities, great artistic expressions such as murals and sculptures flourished. It is during this classical period in which artists refined their skills to represent the human form in a more realistic manner. Mayan figurines very well depict the distinct Mayan physical characteristics such as the high cheekbones, fleshy and hooked noses, heavy lidded eyes, drooping lower lips and artificial cranial deformation. This small but remarkably sculpted Mayan face displays all such attributes. Looking at this sculpted image is like looking into the face of an ancient Mayan who perhaps participated in rituals and various ceremonies in the great temple cities. The Mayan clay figurines often represented deities and dignitaries. And as indicated by the detailed decoration above the forehead, the delicate sculpture most likely represents the image of a priest or a dignitary. Which dignitary it represents or which temple or a ritual sight it adorned is a mystery the secrets of Mayan history holds.