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 deep-set, stoic
closed eyes and mouth creates an esoteric
mystery. Because Costa Rica was a tribal culture,
the significance of its art is largely unknown. The
mystery of the basalt stone head, then, is up to
the viewers to decipher. The large stone head is
decorated with a flat cap that is ornately
enhanced with patterns. Perhaps such beautiful
and yet stern stone sculpture had a funerary
ritual significance, meant to represent or portray
the deceased, or perhaps such basalt head is a
possible symbol of human sacrificial ritual, which
was a common practice in the Ancient Costa
Rica. During this period, people took trophy
heads in battles for human sacrifice because they
believed that such practice was necessary to
maintain the agricultural fertility. Mesoamericans
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 stone head well indicates the people's
desire for God's mercy.
- (PF.3034)
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