This was discovered by researchers from the National Institute of Anthropology and History of Mexico (INAH). a sculpture carved in stone 1.35 meters high by 52cm wide which represents the Mayan god of fertility: Yum Keepwhich corresponds to the Late Classical period (900-1200 AD).
The discovery was made during restoration work in the Oxkintok archaeological zone, located in the municipality of Maxcanú, south of the state of Yucatán, in southeast Mexico, which in the Mayan language means “The city of three flint suns” . “.
“Lithic character was found in the DZ-7 structure or pyramid of the Dzib architectural group, lying face up, associated with the slope of the staircase”explained archaeologist Luis Pantoja Díaz, head of the Oxkintok archaeological zone.
The stone figure, which weighs about 150 kilos, represents the human figure, as the pectorals, the leaning belly and the male member are clearly visible.
Furthermore, the INAH-Yucatan Center researcher explained why the back of the body is not anatomically proportional.
The trunk of the stone figure represents a phallussince the buttocks form the testicular part and in the upper back are the two corners which are part of the glans”.
symbolic duality
The sculpture has been identified as Yum Keep and is a symbolic duality“because he’s a character of great lineage, but he’s also a phallic member.”
On the Puuc Route, a route that integrates different archaeological zones of the Maya culture, which are located in the Yucatan peninsula, phalluses of various sizes representing fertility have been found.
He commented that another of the characteristics of the sculpture is that apparently He has a snake around his neck and it hangs in his arms.“we are under investigation, we need a more detailed analysis of the sculpture”.
The archaeologist also showed the restoration of the two hieroglyphic stairways, which show the dating of the structure, the emblem of the archaeological area and a story, “as Spanish specialists found it in the 80s of the last century”.
The discovery took place thanks to the work of the Program for the Improvement of Archaeological Zones (Promeza) connected to the Mayan Train project due to the proximity of the station of the Maxcanú railway project.
The Oxkintok Archaeological Zone is located 55 kilometers south of Yucatán and four kilometers east of Maxcanú.
EFE extension
Source: Clarin
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.