Hacha

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Description

heavy brown stone, black pigment remains, sculpted on both sides, presumably depicting the head of a jaguar, custom mount;
such axe-shaped sculptures, called “hacha” (“axe”), are attributed to the complex of the ritual ballgame. Various interpretations of the stone objects exist. So they could have been the prototype of the wooden or leather-made “hachas” which were used to protect the player during the game or they were just worn in the belt on important ceremonies. Possibly they were used as decorative architectural elements and were inserted in the walls of ballgame playing fields.

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Comparing literature

Clados, Christiane, Das göttliche Herz der Dinge, Köln 2012, p. 64

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Publications

Shook, E.M. & E. Marquis, Secrets in Stone, Yokes, Hachas and Palmas from Southern Mesoamerica, p. 81, No. B11, 1996

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