Athena Review Image Archive ™
Izamal, Yucatán: Mask of Kinich Ahau
Kinich Ahau mask at Izamal (Stephens and Catherwood 1843).
This
large stucco mask, found on a pyramid at Izamal and drawn by
Catherwood in 1841, represents the Maya Sun God, Kinich Ahau. A
provincial capital in the Late Postclassic, Izamal had a long series of
prehistoric settlements dating back to the Preclassic.
The Late
Classic and Postclassic center contained several large pyramids,
dedicated both to Kinich Ahau and to Itzamna, "Lizard House," the
patron deity of Mayan learning and writing. The site is currently
undergoing restoration.
Today the town has a large colonial-era
center which includes a monastery built by the Franciscan architect
Juan de Mérida between 1553 and 1561.
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