This basalt stone head with a stoic face carries an
unusual ambience and weight. Although the
head is depicted with simple incision lines, one
cannot escape its poignant sense of presence,
like that of a real human head. Estranged from
the body, the stone head's stoic closed eyes and
mouth create an esoteric mystery. The head is
decorated with a flat cap that is ornately
enhanced and with indication of earspools. Such
ornate 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 human
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. This explains the ornate
embellishment of the basalt head--the victims of
the human sacrificial ceremony had to be
flawless. After all, these humans were offerings
to the powerful God. Meso-Americans believed
in their humble position and their duty to offer
the best for god's mercy. The agricultural
prosperity depended upon human sacrifice and
this basalt trophy head well indicates the
people's desire for God's benevolence.
- (PF.2967)
|
