Artifact: Eccentric Flint Head of Ka'wiil

The materials flint and obsidian were used very heavily in the average every day life of the Mayans. They shaped these materials over a stone work bench, or hard surface, chipping away laboriously at the edges, and manipulating the surface to give their work a shape, structure, form.

These large chunks of obsidian or flint would eventually be worked into a weapon, jewelry items, or in this case ceremonial items.

This eccentric flint head is meant to be buried, a ceremonial offering to the gods in Shibalba. Shibalba is located roughly in a cave near Coban traditionally speaking. (Mayan Religion) Because this flint head was originally buried within the site itself (probably because the traditional site of Shibalba may have been too far away), there suggests a kind of relationship with the ground.

The god Ka'wiil is known as a deity of thunder, usually depicted with an axe or a torch through his head. The Mayans thought that thunder was basis for creating life. When thunder struck, it would rain, and the maize seeds, which the Mayans thought to be the life of their people, could grow and give birth to new life.
A cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth. A constant circle. All occurring in relationship to the ground.