May 11, 2021 – If you thought your vintage-era Star Wars action figures (1977-1985) were old and valuable, they pale in comparison to a group of prehistoric Mayan figures unearthed in 2006.
An archaeological team in north Guatemala discovered 23 small ceramic figures arranged by mourners in a circle inside a royal tomb chamber. Notable figures include a deceased king with his animal spirit companion—a magical deer wearing an oval pendant with a motif in the shape of a capital “T” incised into it. The “T” (actually called a Ik’ symbol by the ancient Mayans), represented breath, wind, and life.
The ceramic figures are generally in the 3.75-inch range – eerily similar in size to popular Star Wars figures today that have long been a production mainstay from Kenner and Hasbro.
The dwarf boxer pictured above comes with a removable helmet. However, archaeologists have determined the figure is zero-POA (no points of articulation)
An imposing warrior queen who proudly holds a shield was also discovered amongst the circular configuration. She is thought to have accompanied the king into the afterlife.
But wait, there’s more! Or “collect them all”, a little Mayan boy would have said 1,500 years ago:
Additional ceramic figures incluce dancers, scribes, and ladies performing in a sacred event as well as a female shaman whose face is contorted in an ecstatic howl; dwarves with removable helmets ready to engage in ritual boxing to bring life-giving rains; and a dwarf with a deer helmet holding a conch shell trumpet that will be played for music and to open the portal to the underworld.
While news of the above discoveries are only now widely making the rounds online, the archaeological dig was conducted in 2006 and was first published online in 2017.
The 23 ceramic figures were discovered in a monumental pyramid at the ancient city of El Perú-Waka’, located in Laguna del Tigre National Park in Petén, Guatemala, inside the Maya Biosphere Reserve. They date from approximately 600-650 CE – 1,500 years ago.
