Old Man, Pawahtuun Head

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The Maya envisioned old deities known as Pawahtuuns holding up the surface of the earth with their imposing strength. They conceptualized the earth as a massive crocodile floating effortlessly on the surface of a large body of water, its rugged form a testament to the power of nature. Above this aquatic landscape, youthful Bacabs stood watchfully, supporting the four corners of the sky with their sturdy presence. Here, everyone's favorite sight awaits - the toothless "old man of Copan." It is the head of one of two gigantic Pawahtuuns situated at either end of Temple 11, towering above all else in a display of grandeur. Once, these colossal figures proudly held an enormous mosaic crocodile that stretched majestically across the temple facade, a stunning visual representation of their significance. The headdress adorning each figure is a knotted water lily, a potent symbol of fertility and abundance. If reassembled, the Pawahtuuns would form the largest sculpted human figures discovered at Copan, a testament to the ingenuity and craftsmanship of the Maya people.