Cabeza de Hombre

A male head with the conventional image of a Mexica man depicted with strong features, big and well delineated ears, lightly aquiline nose and a very marked hairline. The piece has a spike in the neck to be fixed probably in the body of a complete figure. The cavity of the eyes is filled with a red shell (Spondylus princeps) inlay whose color has made think some researchers it indicates the representation of a man poisoned with pulque [Mexican alcoholic drink made from fermented maguey juice] or with some psychotropic plant in some sacrificial ceremony before immolating the victim. It has six teeth of white shell and the pupils are of made of pyrite. It was found together with another almost identical head in a 1940 excavation near the corner of Francisco I. Madero and Bolivar in the Historic Center of Mexico City.Arqlga. Bertina Olmedo Vera