Interactions Between Humans and the Environment
_1200 - 1520 C.E.
Western coast of South America
Hardstone ground axe
Western coast of South America
Hardstone ground axe
_900 - 1520 C.E.
Aztec
Mexico
Black obsidian scraper.
Aztec
Mexico
Black obsidian scraper.
Development and Interactions of Cultures
_14 27 - 1479 C.E.
Aztec
Central Mexico
Carved over a 52 year period, this sun stone weighs 24 tons and measures 12 feet across.
Aztec
Central Mexico
Carved over a 52 year period, this sun stone weighs 24 tons and measures 12 feet across.
600 - 1450 C.E.
Aztec
Central Mexico
This stone sculpture of a dog may represent a spirit dog, which the Aztecs believed guided human souls through the underworld.The Aztecs owned domesticated dogs, which they associated with the fire deity Xiuhtecuhtli, lord of the hearth. His feast day was celebrated on the date "1-itzcuintli" or "1-dog."
Aztec
Central Mexico
This stone sculpture of a dog may represent a spirit dog, which the Aztecs believed guided human souls through the underworld.The Aztecs owned domesticated dogs, which they associated with the fire deity Xiuhtecuhtli, lord of the hearth. His feast day was celebrated on the date "1-itzcuintli" or "1-dog."
650 - 800 C.E.
Huari Culture
Peru
Tunic of cotton and camelid fibers.
Huari Culture
Peru
Tunic of cotton and camelid fibers.
700 - 1200 C.E
Maya
Kaminaljuyu, Guatamala
Decorative vase
Maya
Kaminaljuyu, Guatamala
Decorative vase
1250 - 1521 C.E.
Aztec
Central Mexico
Stone serpent head. Revered by the Maya, the serpent represented birth and renewal due to the shedding of its skin and as a vehicle on which celestial bodies crossed the heavens.
Aztec
Central Mexico
Stone serpent head. Revered by the Maya, the serpent represented birth and renewal due to the shedding of its skin and as a vehicle on which celestial bodies crossed the heavens.
700 - 1200 C.E
Maya
Kaminaljuyu, Guatamala
Burial piece sculpture.
Maya
Kaminaljuyu, Guatamala
Burial piece sculpture.
_ 1440-1469 C.E.
Aztec
Central Mexico
An ornate, blue-pigmented ceramic vessel featuring Tlaloc, the god recognized by his goggle eyes, fanged teeth and twisted nose.
Aztec
Central Mexico
An ornate, blue-pigmented ceramic vessel featuring Tlaloc, the god recognized by his goggle eyes, fanged teeth and twisted nose.
1350 - 1521 C.E.
Mixtec-Aztec
Mexico
Mask, possibly of Tlaloc, made of wood turquoise, shell, lignite and resin.
Mixtec-Aztec
Mexico
Mask, possibly of Tlaloc, made of wood turquoise, shell, lignite and resin.
1300 C.E.
Aztec
Central Mexico
A fragment of an anthropomorphic brazier made of fired clay and pigment.
Aztec
Central Mexico
A fragment of an anthropomorphic brazier made of fired clay and pigment.
State-building, Expansion and Conflict
900 - 1520 C.E.
Aztec
Mexico
This black obsidian club spike would have been mounted in a wooden handle.The tar-pitch used to hold it in place is still _ present.
Aztec
Mexico
This black obsidian club spike would have been mounted in a wooden handle.The tar-pitch used to hold it in place is still _ present.
900 - 1470 C.E.
Chimu
Central West South American coast
Copper axe with original braided hemp cord, handle and bitumen pitch adhesive.
Chimu
Central West South American coast
Copper axe with original braided hemp cord, handle and bitumen pitch adhesive.
_1200 - 1520 C.E.
Western coast of South America
Granite mace
This mace head from western South America was attached to a strong wooden handle. These devices were used as clubs with heavy heads used to deliver hard blows. Maces were also used ceremonially as signs of authority.
Western coast of South America
Granite mace
This mace head from western South America was attached to a strong wooden handle. These devices were used as clubs with heavy heads used to deliver hard blows. Maces were also used ceremonially as signs of authority.
Development and Interaction of Social Structures
1200 - 1550 C.E
Maya
Escuintla, Pacific Lowlands
Sculpture of a Escuintla woman, used as a good luck charm for those getting married.
Maya
Escuintla, Pacific Lowlands
Sculpture of a Escuintla woman, used as a good luck charm for those getting married.
800 - 1300 C.E.
Lambayeque
Peru
Golden mug with the image of a face.
Lambayeque
Peru
Golden mug with the image of a face.
_800 - 1300 C.E.
Huari
Peru
Wall hanging made of parrot feathers.
Huari
Peru
Wall hanging made of parrot feathers.
300 - 950 C.E.
Maya
Cancuen, Guatemala
Carved panel of a figure, assumed to be king, found in a tomb alongside carvings of the same figure.
Maya
Cancuen, Guatemala
Carved panel of a figure, assumed to be king, found in a tomb alongside carvings of the same figure.
650 - 900 C.E
Maya
Tikal
"Lady of Tikal" Bowl.
Maya
Tikal
"Lady of Tikal" Bowl.
1200 - 1521 C.E.
Mixtec
Central America
A warrior's lip-plug in shape of a cox-cox bird made of jade and gold.
Mixtec
Central America
A warrior's lip-plug in shape of a cox-cox bird made of jade and gold.