The Mayan Art

Maybe the pieces of the Mayan art that originate more surprise are the funeral masks that have been found in places like Tikal, Petén, Takalik Abaj, Retalhuleu and in Fence, Chiapas, Mexico. These masks were not elaborated of a single piece, but they are mosaics formed by a series of fractions, figured carefully, of not less than 14 units each one. The masks were placed in the tombs that belonged to the nobility and rulers, with the idea that the deceased used them in his trip to the underworld.

This belief, of the life after the death, made that important characters, as a priest or boss, they were buried with them. They left them a series of offerings and until they buried them with several servants, so that they assisted him/her in the other world.

The technology in that time didn't facilitate the figure of hard stones as the jade, for what the artisans had to have certain specialization grade, to manipulate figures with antiquated tools.

Also, the jade was used for a considerable quantity of objects that you/they were used in rites, as noblemen's ornaments and priests. They also manufactured dental false pieces. The low class didn't use it for deluxe accessories, but yes they made tips of arrows, axes, knives and other accessories.