Head of Young Corn God

The gather of hair projecting from the brow and the curls above both ears suggest that this is the Young Corn God, a deity that is usually shown as a decapitated head with closed eyes and foliage projecting from the top of the head. Because the god’s head symbolizes an ear of corn that has been picked from the stalk, he is in a constant cycle of life and death, just as corn seed was constantly being planted, tended and harvested in the fields of Maya farmers. This sculpture was originally an exterior decoration on a Mayan building. This is indicated by the block-like lintel behind the head that was inserted into the supporting architecture.