Brief Identification
Maize God (Mayan, Copan 715 CE). Temple 22 of 18-Rabbit, 13th ruler of Copan (r.695-738 CE). Stone bust in the British Museum, London, England.
This limestone statue of a Mayan maize god was found in Copán , Honduras. It measures approximately 35.4” x 25.25” x14.2” and was made in 715 CE. The statue was commissioned by the 13th ruler of Copán , Waxaklajuun Ub'aah K'awiil, also known as 18-Rabbit. This was one of eight statues commissioned by 18-Rabbit to comBritish Museum.
Technical Evaluation
Due to the lack of metal instruments Mayan artisans used tools made out of flint, obsidian, granite, jade and quasite. The stone with which the monuments of Copán were made were quarried from a hillside about a half mile from the city. Since the Mayan had no work animals and did not know of the wheel they used wooden rollers to move the stone from a quarry, which was uphill from Copán [see Robicsek 1972, 47].
Compared to the bruction of the Great Plaza, the final version of the ball court and Temple 22 in the East Court [see Elringham 1999, 436].
Most commoners living in Copán at this time engaged mainly in agricultural pursuits, but excavations show that many of them also practiced specialized crafts at least part-time. In the case of the chipped-stone industry, it’s indicated that state sponsorship of full-time craftsman also took place [see Andrews and Fash 2005, 4].
We know very little detail about individual Mayan sculptures. There were no names or biographies left behind, the only personal thing left was red palm-prints on some of the buildings made by the master architect [see Robicsek 1972, 47]. Although there was a powerful priestly elite, the pillars of Mayan society were the scribes, legal experts, military advisors and artisans. Many artisans rose to a high political position because they bestowed an aura of greatness on their rulers [see Tignor 2011, 315].
The main job of Mayan rulers was to mhttp://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/world_cultures/the_americas/maya.aspx
The British Museum, “Alfred P.Maudslay," http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/article_index/a/alfred_p_maudslay_1850-1931.aspx
The British Museum, “Maya maize god statue,” http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/aoa/s/stone_bust_of_the_maize_god.aspx
Britannica Online, “Copán,” http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/136480/Copan