Submitted by coldrum ---
More than 300 greenstone tiles found inside the Moon Pyramid originated a human sculpture that gives testimony of the esthetic cannons of the ancient Teotihuacan culture. The effigy is one of the emblematic pieces of the exhibition “Teotihuacan. Ciudad de los Dioses” (Teotihuacan, City of Gods), open until late August in the National Museum of Anthropology (MNA). Fragments were found in 2004 by archaeologists from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) associated to the Burial 6 of the pyramid. Specialist thought the pieces were part of a mask.
Dated near 300 AD and made out of serpentine, reconstruction of the “Anthropomorphic Figure” was an arduous work directed by restorer Laura Filloy Nadal, from the MNA Conservation Laboratory.
The figure also has fragments of calcite, dolomite, jade and obsidian that form eyes, lips, and jewelry such as earpieces and necklace.
Restoration of the representation of a high rank character or warrior began with photographic register in situ of the pieces in order to specify the place of each piece. Fragments have different sizes, from a millimeter to 3 centimeters that formed a torso, arms and a pair of earpieces. Carbonized fragments that might have been a support were also found.
Another sculpture restored by INAH to be exhibited at the Teotihuacan show is the “Xalla Captive”, the greatest anthropomorphic representation of the exhibit, was carved in marble and gives account of ritual and intentional destruction performed by ancient Teotihuacan people, since it presents burns and cuts.
The exhibition will be open until the end of August 2009 at the National Museum of Anthropology. The virtual visit is available at Instituto Nacional de Antropología website.
For more, including a photo, see http://www.artknowledgenews.com.
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