ArchaeOLogy > Up Close With a Zapotec Urn > From Head to Toe

Zapotec Urn: I'm about 21 inches tall. I also weigh about 30 pounds. The jar on my back and my body were made first, from slabs of clay. Then other pieces of clay were added to make my clothes, headdress, and jewelry. All that clay really adds on the pounds.

Zapotec Urn: This old thing? Many of the best urns were wearing masks like this. The face depicts the lightning god, Cociyo (co-see-oh). Cociyo was very important to the  Zapotecs , who called themselves the cloud people. They believed that when nobles died, they rose into the clouds to be near Cociyo. I'm a person dressed up as Cociyo to show the close link between Zapotec nobles and the god.

Zapotec Urn: I don't mean to brag, but have you taken a good look at me? There are a lot of clues that I was made for an important person. Notice my grand size and extraordinary detail. Then check out all these accessories: my fancy cape, my big headdress, and these fabulous ear spools, or earrings.

Zapotec Urn: In Zapotec society, only nobles wore these accessories. In fact, people of the lower class, or "commoners," weren't allowed many of the privileges given to the noble class. They couldn't wear bright cotton clothing, hunt deer, or even eat certain foods like chocolate!

Zapotec Urn: Yes, my hand. Gone. Vanished. No more. To be honest, I don't know when I lost it. Thank goodness I'm right-handed.

Zapotec Urn: That would be like asking a magician how he made the elephant disappear. Nope, I'm going to have to keep you and the rest of the world guessing. After all, a celebrity must keep a few secrets to himself.