In the valleys of Northern Ghana, the remains of a mysterious vanished culture have been emerging from ancient burial mounds. As in many ancient civilizations in both the old and new worlds, the burials are accompanied by terracotta sculptures that reveal much about the people who created them. The bold expressionism and appreciation for the human form that characterizes these works is unique in the canon of African art. This impressive figure, crafted with remarkable naturalism, sits on a low stool, often a mark of rank in African culture. The shallow indentation atop his head is intended to hold fetish material. An ancestor cult image, he projects an aura of worldly power that far exceeds his actual size.