[Aztlan] Question about Stone Chaac Mask in the Northern Acropolis(Tikal)

[Justin Kerr]

Dear GK,
I assume you are referring to the mask that is pictured in K4813B in the
Portfolio. http://research.famsi.org/kerrportfolio.html 
This is not a mask of Chak but the mask of the Principal Bird Deity. These
mask decorated many Early Classic temples such as Cerros and Uaxactun, just
to name two. This mask with the downward and inward turned beak identifies
Itzam Yeh, the alter ego of Itzamna, one of the principal deities in the
pantheon of Ancient Maya deities.
One of the most exciting versions of this bird can be found on the western
façade of the Rosalia temple in Copan. There he spreads his wings across 18
meters of wall.
You can see another version of the bird on a carved vessel K637 in the Maya
vase database. http://research.famsi.org./kerrmaya.html. Scroll down in the
iconography table and click on Principal Bird Deity and then click the
search button and you will find a number of examples. 
Justin Kerr    

-----Original Message-----
From: aztlan-bounces at lists.famsi.org [mailto:aztlan-bounces at lists.famsi.org]
On Behalf Of Sollie
Sent: Monday, June 11, 2007 9:34 PM
To: aztlan at lists.famsi.org
Subject: [Aztlan] Question about Stone Chaac Mask in the Northern
Acropolis(Tikal)

Hi all

I have a few questions for any Tikal experts out there. This is in reference
to the stone mask of Chac -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:5328_aquaimages.jpg.

1) Would the stone, Chaac mask in the Northern Acropolis (Tikal) have been
visible to the residents of Tikal around 800-900 AD? My reading indicates
that it was built as part of a facade on an older temple around 50 BC which
was then subsequently built upon. So that by the time 800 AD rolled around,
the mask itself would have been invisible to Tikal's residents. Correct?

2) How would the the mask have been built? Was it built with multiple,
carved stone pieces that were stuck together using some kind of limestone
based mortar?

3) Last question. Is there consensus at this time that the mask represents
Chaac or some other Maya deity?

Thanks, in advance, for your insights...

GK
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