Zoomorphic “hacha”, carved in stone on both sides, representing the head of a psittacid bird (macaw or parrot).

It has a crest decorated with curved grooves; prominent eyes and eyelids, delimited by a circular depression, and a fretworked curved beak, open. Two biconical holes on the head and the upper part of the beak.

* “Hachas”, usually carved from basalt, were used in rituals associated with the ball game. Although their function is uncertain, it has been suggested that they may have been portable markers in this sacred game. Their distribution was widespread along the Pacific Coast and the central volcanic chain of Guatemala during the Late Classic period (600-900).

Height: 28.5 cm
Width: 20 cm

“Hachas” are thin stone objects, usually sculpted on both sides, that represent animal heads (like felines, primates, birds and reptiles), heads of warriors and nobles, as well as skulls or abstract figures. These beautiful objects are associated to the ball game. Apparently they could have been used as portable markers in the ballcourt or as an accessory of the player’s equipment, as portrayed by two ball players in a panel from Tonina, indicating that “hachas” were tied to a wide belt to hang from the waist.

They were widely distributed in several sites of Veracruz (Mexico), where the “hachas” were thicker and were used attached to the yokes used by the players. During the Late Classic period, “hachas” with thinner and narrower edges were distributed south of the Maya region, especially into the Pacific piedmont and the central volcanic chain of Guatemala. Some examples have residues of cinnabar or vermilion powder, a class of mineral sulphides, red-colored and highly poisonous, composed of 85% mercury and 15% sulfur

1. “FLORA AND FAUNA OF THE MAYAN WORLD”. ArteCentro “Graciela Andrade de Paiz”. Historic District, Guatemala City (February 28–June 16, 2013)

2. “FAUNA OF THE MAYAN WORLD”. Interbanco art gallery. Quetzaltenango (September 10 – October 31, 2013)

3. “TREASURES OF THE MAYA SPIRIT”. LA Art & Antique Show. LA Convention Center, California (January 4-9, 2014)

4. “PRE-COLUMBIAN BIODIVERSITY, THE MYSTERIES OF THE JUNGLE. Spanish Cooperation Training Center, Antigua Guatemala (August 17, 2017- February 25, 2018)

5. On display in the lobby of the Hyatt Centric Hotel in Guatemala City from October 24, 2022 to April 4, 2025

1. “Testimony in Stone and Clay. The Natural Environment is Reflected in the Flora and Fauna Exhibition in the Mayan World.” Prensa Libre newspaper, Cultural Section, wednesday, April 3, 2013. Page 38

2. “Exhibition inaugurated: Fauna of the Mayan World.” XelaGuía.

3. “Pre-Columbian Fauna. In their struggle for subsistence, the ancestors were not alone.” Revista D magazine, Prensa Libre newspaper. February 10, 2013, pages 18-21.

For references of these artifacts, refer to:

Popol Vuh Museum Collection, Guatemala City: www.popolvuh.ufm.edu

Miller, Mary and Simon Martin. 2004. “COURTLY ART OF THE ANCIENT MAYA”. Fine Art Museums of San Francisco, pp. 304

Whittington, Michael (editor). 2001. “THE SPORT OF LIFE AND DEATH: THE MESOAMERICAN BALLGAME”. The Mint Museum of Art en asociación con Thames & Hudson. North Carolina; pp. 288