Blue Quetzal Birds
This report focuses on Classic Maya and Teotihuacan wind and percussion musical instruments from the 4th-9th centuries. Trumpets, conch shells and drums were central to Maya rituals, warfare and various ceremonies, as they were often depicted in Maya art. A project proposal is also included to recreate a complete Classical Maya orchestra by reconstructing ancient instruments such as trumpets, ocarinas and tortoise shell marimbas. To achieve this, it is proposed to build the instruments using archaeological finds as reference, and employing contemporary materials. The project also highlights the importance of these instruments to better understand the cultural and ceremonial life of the Maya.
Description
The present 4-page photo report showcases two photographs of one of the most conspicuous artifacts displayed in the Popol Vuh Museum’s collection. The artifact belongs to the Classic Maya period, and depicts three blue quetzal birds (Pharomachrus mocinno) on what appears to be the lid of a large handled bowl. Blue pigment was used to cover the birds’ bodies as well as some of the raised beads and patterns of both the vessel and the lid. In that sense, an interesting characteristic of the artifact is the choice of color for the quetzal’s feathers, since this bird species commonly exhibits green hues in nature. To demonstrate this aspect, two additional photographs of quetzal birds in their natural habitat in Guatemala are also showcased in this report. The artifact is currently on display in the Popol Vuh Museum, located at Francisco Marroquín University in Guatemala City, and it is regarded by Dr. Nicholas Hellmuth, the author of this report, as one of the most fascinating works in the museum’s collection.
Autores:
Nicholas Hellmuth
Date:
May 2024
Design:
Jaqueline González
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