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Lintel from a Maya building

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On this lintel from above a door, Bird Jaguar IV, king of the Maya city of Yaxchilán, displays his power and status by looming over his captive and dominating the scene. The captive shrinks into the corner holding a broken parasol, a symbol of a defeated warrior. The lintel alludes to bloodletting and sacrificial rituals as well as the demonstration and reinforcement of status and rank.


From

Yaxchilán, Mexico


Date

AD 755 – 770


Culture

Maya


Material

limestone


Dimensions

height: 78.8 cm
width: 76.2 cm
depth: 7 cm


Museum

British Museum

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