Existing comment:
What Is A Stela?
A stela (plural: stelae) is a tall shaft of carved stone. Among the Maya, a stela might incorporate a lengthy calendar date, a sculptured portrait of the ruler, and hieroglyphic texts recounting historical, mythological, and astronomical events.
As a public monument placed most often in an open plaza, a stela commemorated the ending of an important time period in the Maya calendar and reinforced the legitimacy of the ruler's power as a god king. The ceremonial costume worn by the ruler recreates the World Tree, center of the human world -- its trunk and branches are depicted on the apron covering his loins. The ruler is often shown holding a scepter. The Double-headed Serpent Bar symbolizes the sky umbilicus connecting him to the source of supernatural power. The scepter with images of the god K'awil symbolized the king's lineage and royal power.. The scepter with images of the god K'awil symbolizes the king's lineage and royal power. Sometimes, at the top of a headdress, a mask of the Principal Bird Deity is shown perched in the World Tree. Other symbols in the sculpture might reflect mythological and historic messages in the hieroglyphic texts inscribed on the sides of the stela. Dedication in sacred ritual established the stela as a religious and a political symbol.
The four stelae represented by casts here in the Museum are part of a group placed in an open plaza at Quirigua, Guatemala. They are the tallest stelae known from the Maya Classic Period.
Workmen transported the stela from the quarry:
A great deal of manpower would have been necessary to move the bulk and weight of the stela. It was probably done by means of ropes and rollers. Agave and other fibrous plants could have supplied rope materials. Many types of hardwood trees in the Maya area are potential sources of wood rollers.
The stela was erected before it was sculpted:
A socket lined with masonry was made to fit the stela. Then the stone shaft was pushed into it. An A-shaped frame may have been used to pull the stela upright. |