Figurine c. 400

This small figurine was carved from stone by an artist from Teotihuacan, a major pre-Columbian city in what is now Mexico. The figure's stylized features and the material from which it's made offer insights into Teotihuacan society. Jade-like stone was highly valued, suggesting the figure may have been associated with the elite. The flat, geometric shapes and the figure's static pose are typical of Teotihuacan art. It’s likely this figure played a role in religious or ritual practices. Understanding the social role of this figurine requires a look at Teotihuacan's urban planning, religious beliefs, and trade networks. Archaeological reports and studies of similar artifacts can tell us more about the figurine’s original context and function. Careful research into the society from which this object came reveals how deeply entwined art is with social and institutional practices.