Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami

Hacha

Artist/Maker Maya (archaeological culture) Mesoamerica

Dateca. 900-1200

CultureMaya

Mediumgranite

DimensionsOverall: 9 5/8 x 7 7/8 x 1 1/4 in. (24.4 x 20 x 3.2 cm)

ClassificationsVisual Works

Credit LineGift of The Institute of Maya Studies

Terms

Object number80.0065

On View

Not on view

Collections

Art of the Ancient Americas

DescriptionThe hacha is one of the implements associated with the Mayan ballgame. This hacha stylistically comes from the Pacific Coast of Guatemala and might represent an abstracted representation of the head of God C, the Death God, since the ballgame often ended with a ritual death or sacrifice. It is possible that the hacha served as a moveable marker to indicate where the ball had come to rest.