This basalt stone head with an impressionable
face carries an unusual ambience and weight.
Although the head is depicted with simple
incision lines, one cannot escape its poignant
sense of presence and beauty, like that of a real
human head. Estranged from the body, the
stone head's closed eyes and mouth create an
esoteric mystery. The head is simple and elegant
in form and essence. Its elongated nose
beautifully accentuates the symmetry and bold
incision lines represent the facial features.
Moreover, the flat cap-like headdress is
decorated with a horizontal bar-like material
that perhaps is a symbolic object. Such beautiful
basalt head is a symbol of human sacrificial
ritual, which was a common practice in Ancient
Costa Rica. During this period, people took the
trophy heads in battles for sacrifice because they
believed that such practice was necessary to
maintain the agricultural fertility. Because of the
strong belief in human sacrifice and pleasing the
god, conquests and wars became their fight to
obtain the perfect victims for the sacrifice.
Mesoamericans believed in their humble position
and their duty to offer the best for God's mercy.
Their prosperity depended upon human sacrifice
and this trophy head well indicates the people's
desire for God's benevolence.
- (PF.3607)
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