"Hacha" in shape of a bird, Late Classic, c. 550 - 950 AD ·  Mexico, Gulf Coast, Veracruz · ID: 3050244

Description

grey stone with inclusions of mica and black particles,

There are different theories concerning the meaning of the “hachas”: they could have been a kind of heraldic symbol, belonging to certain groups,
families or even individual beings. They could have been thought as burial objects as well.

Most of the time however, they are mentioned in connection with the ceremonial ball game, which is known by a wide variety of names. In English, it is often called “pok-ta-pok”(from the Yucatec Maya word “pokolpok”). In Nahuatl, the language of the Aztecs, it was called “ollamaliztli” or “tlachtli”. In Classical Maya, it was known as “pitz”. A modernized version of the game, “ulama”, is still played by the indigenous populations in some places.

Typical of the Classic Gulf Coast period are three types of stone sculpture, symbolic of the actual equipment used in the game: “hachas”, “jugos” and “palmas”.

Stone “jugos” are the ritual counterparts of leather-and-wood yokes worn around a player’s waist to protect him from the heavy rubber ball. “Hachas” (Spanish for axe) and “palmas” were set on the yoke, in front of the player, possibly to help control the ball or as a component of the ceremonial dress.

Notices

This object is subject to the UNESCO Cultural Heritage Protection Act. Export documents are required for export (subjected to a fee).