[Aztlan] Teotihuacan Clay Heads

[Archaeology Institute]

C1grandes at aol.com on Wednesday, January 17, 2007 at 12:25 PM -0800 wrote:
>A small archaeological museum in El Paso, TX has a sizable collection of  
>small bodiless heads from the area of Teotihuacan, Mexico.  I've  volunteered to 
>assist them in obtaining information about the heads that can be  used to sort 
>and/or classify them.  Unfortunately, I've been unable to  learn much beyond 
>the fact that they used to be found in fields as, perhaps,  offerings.  
> 
>I'd appreciate any information or reference suggestions that you can  provide.
> 
>Thank you,
> 
>Pamela K


Dear Pamela, 
Not having seen the specific pieces, I can only speculate on the appearance or identities of individual items from the collection. However, I can almost say with certainty that it is likely that the heads span the heart of the early through Middle
Classic period (ca. 250-650), that they were very likely mold made with applique designs added to the core element molded or otherwise mass produced, that they include a large number of images or ceremonial paraphernalia and headgear pertaining to
the Mesoamerican storm deity, Tlaloc, who was both the "Lord of Rain" and that of the "Earth", and his associations are with war and sacrifice, and thereby, agricultural fertility and the underworld. On those specific heads which include two donut
shaped headgear or facial elements, you are looking at Tlaloc (Tla-octli, or "Earth Wine") icons and iconography. In addition, it should be noted that most of the heads were very likely destined for attachment to hand-modelled terracotta torsos or
full length bodies...some with body cavaties intended to exhibit internal organs, such as the heart, or even smaller figurines that may represent fetus or spirit figures.  Also, you may wish to look into research by Teotihuacan scholars Warren
Barbour, Saburo Sugiyama, and or Ruben Cabrera for the associated archaeology, or Laurette Sejourne for a generic interpretation of Teotihuacan iconography, for additional details.  Hope this helps...and good luck with your research?  
Best Wishes, Ruben Mendoza

Best Regards,

Ruben G. Mendoza, Ph.D., Director
Institute for Archaeological Science, Technology and Visualization
Social and Behavioral Sciences
California State University Monterey Bay
100 Campus Center
Seaside, California 93955-8001

Email: archaeology.csumb at gmail.edu
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