[Aztlan] The Snake Hemipenis in Mesoamerican Art: FAMSI Journal of the Ancient Americas

[David Hixson]

We, the moderators of Aztlan, along with our hosts at
FAMSI, are pleased to announce a new research paper by
Aztlan list member Elaine Schele in the FAMSI JOURNAL
OF THE ANCIENT AMERICAS.

http://research.famsi.org/aztlan/aztlan_journal.php

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TITLE:
Potential Artistic Representations of the Snake
Hemipenis In Mesoamerican Art.

ABSTRACT:
This work is the result of the use of ethology, the
observation of animal behavior, to gain special
insight into the mind of the ancient indigenous
Mesoamerican. Through this mechanism, I have sought to
understand how Mesoamericans might have seen the
unusual characteristics of the snake, particularly the
rattlesnake, and why they seem to have used the snake
hemipenis in their artwork. I discuss and display
several examples of this art, such as clay figurines
and the Maya ruler's loincloth apron. I discuss
possible reasons why Mesoamericans would have thought
that the snake and its phallus were important icons
and how they may have multiple meanings. I suggest
that additional work should be done to identify why
the Maya might have considered breath and the snake
hemipenis as related. To my knowledge, there has
been no previous documentation in the literature about
the use of the hemipenis in ancient Mesoamerican art
or in any other artworks throughout the world.
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And be sure to click on the link for "Contributed
Papers" to view all of the wonderful articles
submitted to the FAMSI Journal by Aztlan members.

http://research.famsi.org/aztlan/papers_index.php

Saludos,
Dave, Mike and Fritz
Aztlan Moderators & Editors of the
FAMSI Journal of the Ancient Americas


       
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