Sculpture of Maya maize god
- Audio guide stop: 129
- Gallery: Room 1
- Culture: Late Classic Maya
- Date: 715
- Object type: sculpture
- Materials: limestone
- Museum number: Am1923,Maud.8
- Museum: The British Museum
- Collection record: British Museum website
- Image © The Trustees of the British Museum, shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 licence.
Listen to the free audio guide
About this object
Before you stands a sculpture of the Maya Maize God, a youthful figure symbolizing the agricultural cycle and prosperity. The god is shown with a stylized corn headdress and hair that resembles corn silk. His head is unusually large, contrasting with narrow shoulders and slender torso.
Crafted from limestone, this sculpture is remarkable for being made from two separate blocks—one for the head, one for the torso. This method was likely used to create similar figures that adorned Structure 22 in Copan. In AD 715, this building was commissioned by the ruler Waxaklajuun Ub’aah K’awiil, known as “18-Rabbit,” to mark 20 years on the throne.
The Maize God was a central figure in Maya culture, representing renewal and growth. His appearance on this sculpture reflects the deep religious and cultural importance of maize—an essential part of Maya life.
See it in person
Sculpture of Maya maize god is on display in Room 1 at the British Museum on Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, London — free to enter. Choose British Museum on audioguide.london and type its audio guide stop number, 129, from the gallery label, or take a photo of it, to hear this free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
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