Central Veracruz – Un Perro
Un perro translates to “a dog”. Domesticated dogs were commonplace in ancient Mesoamerica and were used as food as well as companionship. Dogs were often buried with their master to protect them in the afterlife and this dog statue would presumably have been buried, in place of the family pet, to protect someone in the afterlife. It is from Central Veracruz and dates to the Classic period, between 300BC and 900AD.
© Robin Heyworth, 30th December 2001
