The Chacmool

Chacmools are sculptures particular to pre-Columbian groups first appearing around the 9^th century . They depict a human figure lying down in a particular pose. The knees are raised up with the body sitting up and resting on the elbows. Of the hundreds of chacmools found, the figure usually faces 90 degrees to the side. It is the pose of a modern sit-up exercise.

Sometimes spelled Chac mool, the name was mistakenly given to the statue by and early Chichén Itza archeologist Augustus Le Plongeon, who in 1875 discovered a statue that he thought was depicting a former ruler of the city.

The statues are often thought of as warriors offering a sacrifice to the Gods. The hands often form a bowl to the sky. Aztec Chacmools carried stone bowls specifically used to hold human hearts after they were cut from the victims for sacrifice. It is believed others offered tortillas, tamales, turkey and pulque.

Chichén Itza Chacmools are closely identified with young warriors.

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