An Iconographic and Historic Analysis of Terminal Classic Maya Phallic Imagery

Conclusions

The dissertation attempts to understand phallic imagery in the context of Classic Maya iconography. An iconographic analysis suggests that graphic depictions of the penis were an artistic device for reasserting Maya concepts that had a long history in previous Maya art. Certain Terminal Classic iconographic contexts, such as gestures, poses and royal attire, and concepts, such as the axis mundi, have their basis in the Classic Period. The significant mythological concepts associated with the World Tree and ancient Maya creation stories known in earlier periods provide a context in which to understand the depiction of the later overt phallic images. The appearance of the overt and literal image in the Terminal Classic Period reflects several political and cultural changes occurring during the period.

While Terminal Classic phallic images have their basis in earlier Classic iconography, the style and form in visible ritual contexts reflects a significant shift in conception toward a more public art. Terminal Classic rulers used this imagery to refer to their ancient ancestors and underscore their connection to sacred ancient Maya lineage. Although these formal changes may have been a response to a changing environment, the basic symbolic value and function already had a long history in Maya culture.

The contingency grant from FAMSI increased the number of phallic sculptures documented and/or photographed and allowed me to return to Chichén Itzá to see the newly re-excavated House of the Phalli. Several new examples from the site were recorded and several additional examples were photographed in the Museo Regional de Antropología, Mérida. The grant also allowed me to return to Uxmal to re-photograph and document phallic sculptures scattered on site. Additional analysis of 19^th and early 20^th century scholarship is being undertaken to determine the original context(s) of the Uxmal phalli and other significant pieces. This project may help to further elucidate historic scholarly approaches to the documentation and interpretation of these significant sculptures.

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