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 he canon of African art. This striking figure seems to embody deep human grief, an anguish born of loss. Was she placed in a tomb to express the eternal sorrow of the living? As we gaze upon this powerful image, we recognize that such emotions are universal, binding all people together across the barriers of time and culture.