ancientpeoples:FigurineMexico200BC-500ADA series of remarkable tombs extend across the mainly upland
ancientpeoples:FigurineMexico200BC-500ADA series of remarkable tombs extend across the mainly upland zones of the modern West Mexican states of Colima, Nayarit and Jalisco. The small village-based communities which constructed these unique mortuary complexes were largely ignored by early scholars due to the absence of the masonry architecture, monumental stone sculpture or written records which characterized other Mesoamerican civilizations. However, the technically accomplished deep shaft tombs with vaulted burial chambers and the associated wealth of ceramic mortuary offerings were indicative of a flourishing, yet independent, local culture with well-defined ritual practices concerned with the afterlife.Although initially regarded by scholars as ‘folk art’ executed in simple village style, the majority of the large hollow figures, human and animal effigies, models and small solid figurines buried in these elaborate tombs appear to have been produced specifically for a mortuary context. . There are several recurrent figurative types, albeit with local stylistic distinctions which appear in a number of tombs. These include acrobats, warriors, musicians, women with children, mourners and figures with artificial cranial deformations. Male and female couples appear frequently, as do elaborately detailed models depicting ball games, battle scenes, funeral processions and scenes of food preparation. . Although many of the figures, especially the women, appear to be naked, they invariably wear elaborate headgear and ornaments. Conical caps and brimmed hats are worn by men, while headbands are seen on both male and female figures. Worn in combination with armbands, necklaces and multiple earrings, it is possible that these accoutrements indicated status or allegiance. Source: British Museum -- source link