Edzná in Campeche, Mexico — The Southeast (Yucatan Peninsula)
The Temple of the Giant Masks
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, January 22, 2017
1. The Temple of the Giant Masks Marker
Templo de Mascarones
Muchos edificios mayas estuvieron decorados con representaciones diversas, modeladas en estuco. Este material, equiparable al yeso, es muy frágil y pocas veces se conserva en buenas condiciones. Durante los trabajos de exploración realizados en 1988, se encontraron los dos mascarones de estuco aquí expuestos. Representan a la deidad solar en dos momentos: el amanecer (lado oriente o izquierdo) y el atardecer (lado poniente o derecho). El color predominante es el rojo, pero también hay restos de azul-verde, para marcar la calidad mineral de la jadeíta con que se elaboraron las orejeras; y negro, para enfatizar el estrabismo o bizquera. Este último rasgo, al igual que la pintura facial, era considerado de alto valor estético.
Maya-Yucateco:
Ya’akach maaya pak’ilo’obe’ jats’utsta’an ka’ach y’éetl ya’akach ba’alo’ob beeta’ano’ob yéetel chichkuna’an luuk’. Le ba’alo’ ma’ chichi’ leten’ ma’ jach tu xáantal ma’alobil. Ichil u meyajil 1998e’ kaxta’ab ka’ap’éel pix icho’obil chichkuna’an luuk’. Ku ye’esiko’ob Yum k’iin ti’ ka’ap’éel u jela’anil: píik’il (tséelil lak’in wa ts’íik) yéetel u bin k’iin (tséelil chik’in
this page online
English:
Many Mayan buildings were decorated with different images modeled in stucco. This material, comparable to plaster, is very fragil and is rarely preserved in good condition. The two stucco masks exposed here were found during the exploration work carried out in 1988. They represent the sun god during two instants: the sunrise (east or left side) and the sunset (west or right side). The predominant color is red, but there are also remains of blue-green, used to show the mineral quality of the jadeite with which they made the earplugs; and black, in order to emphasize the strabismus or squint. This last characteristic, as with the facial paints, was considered of high esthetic value.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Architecture • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Man-Made Features. A significant historical year for this entry is 1988.
Location. 19° 35.754′ N,
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, January 22, 2017
2. The Temple of the Giant Masks Marker
The marker is to the far right of the covered and protected temple. The masks are underneath the thatched portion of the temple.
Regionally, this marker is in the Mexican Gulf Coast, in the Maya Heartland, and on the Yucatán Peninsula. Globally, it is in North America, Mesoamerica, a Gulf of Mexico state, and the Western Hemisphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also a Spanish colony.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Small Acropolis (within shouting distance of this marker); The Ball Game at Edzná (within shouting distance of this marker); The Building of the Five Floors (about 150 meters away, measured in a direct line); The Great Acropolis (about 180 meters away); Nohochná (about 180 meters away); The Platform of the Knives (about 240 meters away); The Ambassadors' Platform (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); The Maya (approx.
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, January 22, 2017
3. The eastern mask of the Temple of the Giant Masks
This giant mask is to the left (east) of the temple and represents the sunrise. Note the earplugs, or giant earrings, mentioned in the marker text.
Regarding The Temple of the Giant Masks. The English translation given on the marker is not exactly clear about the characteristic of the masks which it translates as "strabismus or squint", which is probably better described as "crossed eyes". This feature was highly valued in ancient Mayan culture.
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, January 22, 2017
4. The western mask of the Temple of the Giant Masks
This giant mask is to the right (west) of the temple and represents the sunset. This mask is also shown on the marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 20, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 30, 2017, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 314 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 30, 2017, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia.
