Palma (Stone sculpture)

This sculpture is one of a number of archaeological objects referred to as palmas. They were discovered primarily in the region of the modern-day Mexican state of Veracruz. Characteristic features include the arched base as well as the upper paddle-like section, which in this specimen is adorned with a volute motif. The overall bas-relief object forms the background for the figure of a bat-like hybrid creature carved in high relief, between whose folded legs a decorated loincloth can be seen. Carved out of stone, palmas are considered to be ritual replicas of a form of upper-body protection worn in Mesoamerican ball games. They often served as burial objects. They attest to the great societal and religious significance of this sport in the cultures of Central America prior to Spanish colonial conquest. A modern form of the game, called ulama, still exists in the Mexican state of Sinaloa. Like its older variants, it is played with a heavy rubber ball.