The artist who created this fascinating stone
skull mask was not only an exceptional lapidary
artist, but his choice of material was also very
perceptive. The stone is remarkably similar in
color and composition to the human skull,
especially in regards to the vein formations and
the general texture and feel. The artist may have
gone through many quarries to find this special
stone. In general, Mesoamericans believed that
the universe embraced the heavens and
underworld as one. There was no separation
between the terrestrial world and the realm of
the supernatural. Everyday experience
incorporated these two worlds together; it was a
basic aspect of their reality. Thus, the world of
the dead was closely integrated into the world of
the living. Deceased ancestors were believed to
have powerful influences upon the living. Major
festivals honored the dead. Most likely, this
mask represented the death deity and would
have been worn in such an elaborate ceremony.
By appeasing the death deity through ritual, the
ancient Costa Ricans may have felt that their
ancestors would be safe in the Underworld and
in turn have favorable influences upon the living.
Or perhaps, the death deity acted as an
intermediary for the humans to communicate
with the deceased. Due to their perception of
the unity of the terrestrial worlds and the
Underworld as one, we can only imagine that this
mask and the ritual performances in honor of the
death deity had good intentions for all: the gods,
humans and the dead.
- (PF.5825)
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