Anthropomorphic representations are the most common theme in the art of the Mezcala tradition. It is probable that these figures represent the kin of the deceased. Buried next to the body, they would have had a function similar to that of escorts of the soul. These figures are almost always undefined, without any visible indication of their gender. They tend to be interpreted as men, but it is worth noting that this may not be entirely accurate as they may actually be generic or asexual human representations.
Together with pieces numbered 468, 469 and 975, this figure has the fundamental features of Mezcala stone carvings, a strong abstraction that defines the human body and face with very few lines in a way that no anatomic details, such as eyes, lips, fingers and toes are visible. The human figure is, in reality, a strictly symmetrical scheme, largely achieved with straight lines. The head is inscribed inside the form of a pentagon.
The abundance of stones of different colors and hardness in the mountain ranges through which the Middle Balsas and its tributaries flow afforded artisans of the region a large amount of raw material to develop the art of stone carving. The artisans chose stones of a similar size to the figure they wished to carve so that they did not have to waste much material. The overall shape of the block was achieved by striking, but the majority of the carving is the result of filing away at the stone to wear down the core. Additionally, many final lines and cuts were produced with a rope tightened into a bow, like the modern saw.
These four figures all share in common the posture of the arms, apparently held alongside the body, while the forearms ascend diagonally toward the center of the chest. As opposed to other human figures of the Mezcala tradition in which some parts of the body have a certain volume, such as the arms and the eyes, in these pieces they are defined in a negative manner through incisions. The arms and forearms are not the result of the volume remaining between two incisions, but rather they are the incisions themselves, as sgraffito figures on a rock. The eyes are also incisions. The nose stands out slightly, and the mouth is barely a notch, apparently produced by some strokes of the polishing bow.
Anthropomorphic representations are the most common theme in the art of the Mezcala tradition. It is probable that these figures represent the kin of the deceased. Buried next to the body, they would have had a function similar to that of escorts of the soul. These figures are almost always undefined, without any visible indication of their gender. They tend to be interpreted as men, but it is worth noting that this may not be entirely accurate as they may actually be generic or asexual human representations.
