Cocoa Offering Stele
This Mayan relief is set on a limestone block and features a Lord offering a cocoa plant to the Gods. Also, clearly visible is a parrot looking in the opposite direction just above his shoulder and a rather phallic symbol protruding from his chest – it is unclear what this symbolism means. The piece dates from the Classic Era, between 600AD and 900AD.
© Robin Heyworth, 30th December 2001
