Cylindrical sculpture

A very regular cylindrical shape was carved and polished on a very heavy basaltic rock. Then, by chipping, two similar personages were chiseled symmetrically. In both cases, the head constitutes one-third of the total height and the facial features evoke Olmec art: the almond-shaped eyes and mouth with a slight grimace from the corners downwards. Two vertical lines indicate the nose and enclose the mouth in a deep wrinkle.

On one side, a single horizontal line marks the division between the forehead and the top of the head while on the other side, it is a complete square enclosing the face with three vertical lines upwards like hair. The body is outlined in a deep groove that runs vertically through the center and the arms are bent to in that median line. Here too, one of the figures is a little more worked, with a roughened part around what would be the chest.

On both sides of the stone, near the lower edge, a face with four straight lines perpendicular to the eyes, nose and mouth were succinctly engraved. Without microscopic analysis it is impossible to determine with certainty the period or periods in which this piece was crafted. There are in fact various procedures for engraving the motifs, often superimposed: a polished chipping that left a wide groove, and what appears to be carving with a metallic instrument, and therefore modern. In many Mesoamerican regions, cylindrical human figures were made of stone with hands clasped on the chest, probably inspired by effigies carved from the cylindrical wood of a tree trunk. However, by the techniques used it is very likely that the piece either was deeply retouched recently or is a modern creation inspired by ancient art.