Mayan Flask

Uxmal was a self sustaining, thriving community with many different facets for trade, science, religion, and medicine. The constructions of the site all served different purposes from highlighting a connection to other planets to housing militants. A common theme between all the constructions is that they display their purpose in their ornamentation. By reading the symbols and delicately designed crownings, one can discover the designers intent. For example, the Governor's Palace is heavily decorated with symbols for the number eight and depictions for Quatacoatl, thought to be the God of Venus. Those clues all tell the visitor to this space that it's divine purpose is to show the southernmost rise of Venus every eight years. Despite what the first impression may be of this construction, by looking closer one can discover the true intent.

The same can be said of this artifact, the Mayan Flask. At first glance, one would think it was used for alcohol or perhaps water. Yet, the Mayan Flask tells exactly what it's purpose is on the flask itself. Most flasks were used by the medicine men of the village to hold potions for healing. Sometimes though the flasks would hold something closely related to a modern day hallucinogen drug. The flasks were used by all villagers, but it was carried by those in charge of medicine or perhaps magicians.

The space that would hold this artifact would be a spot of healing, possibly a community healing place like a hospital or a spiritual healing place of meditation, a hot springs.