Chacmool c. 20th century

This Chacmool sculpture was carved by the Mayan people in present-day Mexico out of limestone. The figure reclines, gazing upwards with a shallow bowl on its stomach, likely for sacrificial offerings. The Mayan civilization was deeply invested in ritual practices. The Chacmool was likely placed in temples and other sacred spaces to act as an intermediary between humans and the gods. The sculpture’s posture suggests a figure in repose, a passive recipient of offerings, yet its upward gaze hints at a connection to the heavens. The image creates meaning through cultural references to Mayan religious practices and beliefs. The Mayan civilization was known for its advanced understanding of mathematics, astronomy, and art. A historian could look to archaeological records, Mayan codices, and ethnographic studies to gain a deeper understanding of the social and institutional context in which this sculpture was created.