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 old and new...
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 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 are unique in the canon of African art. This marvelous sculpture portrays a human head in a dramatic and unique way. The face portrays large eyes, nose, and mouth. Indication of the hair and the headdress complete the visual aesthetics but the head is mounted on a simple, cone-like structure. With no indication of a body, the sculpture perhaps represents the soul of ancestors or the deceased. It perhaps had an important function in rituals, or perhaps it decorated the grave sight of a significant individual. Although the sculpture seems esoteric to us, we certainly appreciate its visual aesthetics and mystery. As we look into this unique sculpture, we wonder about the ancient culture and its fascinating world of art.