at Santa Ines, Oaxaca, Mexico

Pot in shape of seated man, from high-ranking Zapotec grave

This pot would have been one of the grave goods in the underground, temple-topped tomb of a high-ranking person in the ancient city of Santa Ines. It contained offerings or incense. It represents an ancestor of the deceased, shown as a god.

This pot is in the form of a seated, elaborately dressed male figure, with a cylindrical container extending from its back. While some of these pots showed recognisable gods, this one may instead represent an ancestor, portrayed as a god.

Zapotec society was highly stratified, and the ruling class governed on the basis of having come from ancient aristocratic families and being connected with the gods. These pots emphasised that aspect of the deceased.

Record details

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Online ID:	000-180-000-767-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0504: National Museums Scotland Part 2 Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland A.1948.282
Date:	Between 400 and 600 AD
Material:
Dimensions:
What:	Incense burner
Subject:	Pottery vessels
Who:	Cowdray Collection (Owner)
Where:	Mexico, Ancient Mexico, Santa Ines, Oaxaca
Event:
Description:	Incense burner in hard grey pottery representing a divine figure seated cross-legged: Ancient Mexico, from Santa Ines, Zapotec
References:	Sheridan, J A (ed). Heaven and Hell and Other Worlds of the Dead. Edinburgh: National Museum of Scotland, 2000.
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