Ancient Mayan ‘deity of death’ statue discovered – dating back 1,400 years

An ancient Mayan ‘deity of death’ statue has been uncovered in Mexico – and it dates back 1,400 years.

The stone sculpture was found in the town of Conhuas, Campeche, near the archaeological zone of Balamkú, by experts from the National Institute of Anthropology and History.

Pictured: The ancient Mayan ‘deity of death’ statue that has been uncovered in Mexico. ( Credit: Jam Press )

According to the institute, the pre-Hispanic sculpture is nearly 25cm high, and ‘represents an emaciated being in a seated position with cranial modification’.

The effigy was discovered on Friday (16 Jun), and is said to ‘wear a nose ring and a mask on his skull’.

It is estimated to be from the Early Classic period (200-600 AD).

Andrés Manuel López Obrador, the general director of INAH, said: “It is a figure that, due to its stark features, appeals to mortuary motifs and would be linked to a deity of death.”

The INAH team were undertaking excavations for a new intercity train line when they happened upon the effigy.

Pictured: The ancient Mayan ‘deity of death’ statue that has been uncovered in Mexico. ( Credit: Jam Press )

They have found 21,960 immovable items there that have been identified and protected – including old foundations and roads.

306 movable items, 72,480 ceramic potsherds, 64 human burials and 227 natural features associated with human presence have also been found at the site.

Pictured: The ancient Mayan ‘deity of death’ statue that has been uncovered in Mexico. ( Credit: Jam Press )

Obrador added: “This tells us about the great population density that existed in this region of the Yucatan peninsula, thanks to a complex social organization, the effectiveness of the Mayan milpa and an urban system that connected various city-States that traded with each other, representing towns with hundreds of thousands of inhabitants.”