OBJECTS FROM CEMPOALAN AKD XICO 



257 



be additional incised or relief medallions of heads on the ends of the 

 arms. There is an excellent specimen of a stone yoke with a face on 

 the curved outer surface and heads of different kinds on the two arms, 

 in the Dehesa collection, shown from the side in figure 51 An 

 examination of the structure of the arch shows that the head resem- 

 bles that of a frog as identified in other specimens. There are two 

 round disks on each side of the upper part of the head above the 

 mouth, possibly representing- ear-drums, a common feature in Mexi- 

 can stone images of frogs, and there is a total absence of human 

 features in nose and chin. Viewed 

 from the convex side of the arch, 

 this yoke shows but a slight differ- 

 ence from those of the second sub- 

 division of the first type, but on 

 examination of its sides or arms 

 (figures 51, 52). this too is wholly 

 lost. In place of appendages on the 

 arms, as in yokes of the first type, it 

 has representations of other heads 

 and those of different shape from that 

 of a frog. On one arm there are 

 cut a skull and a conventionalized 

 skeleton with upraised arms, and 

 with ribs, legs, and feet. On the 

 other arm we find a head of a human 

 being, resembling sculpturing on the 

 convex side of the arch of yokes of 

 the first subdivision. The remark- 

 able and unique figure of a human 

 skeleton lies on one side when the 

 yoke is in a horizontal position so 

 that the j'oke must be placed vertical 

 to bring this figure into a natural attitude. It will be noticed that a 

 human face is represented in a depressed area or recess on the upper 

 side of the arch. Similar representations of death heads or skulls are 

 not uncommon decorations on stone yokes; so far as it goes, this fact 

 suggests the sanguinary rites of human sacrifice which are known 

 to have been practised among the Totonac as well as among the 

 Aztec. 



Another stone yoke alsoon exhibition in the Museo Nacional. belongs 

 to the second type and has a skull or death's-head cut on the arch and 

 other heads on each arm. 



w of r.tone yoke, second 

 Dehesa (■oUection.) 



