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Archaeologists have unearthed the strange statue of a Maya warrior wearing a snake-shaped helmet at the basement of a pre-Columbian temple in Mexico.
According to Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), a statue measuring 33cm (13in) in height and 28cm (11in) in width was found at Chichén Itzá in the Yucatán Peninsula.
It seems to portray a fighter adorned in a feathered ensemble and a serpent-like helmet with an open mouth. Experts believe it could have been a component of a larger artwork created approximately 1,000 years ago.
The civilization of pre-Columbian era flourished in the Yucatán peninsula and was one of the most significant Mayan hubs between the 9th and 13th centuries AD.
During its prime, Chichén Itzá was believed to have housed a large population of tens of thousands of individuals.
There is also a pyramid on the site known as El Castillo, which stands at a height of approximately 30m (100ft).
The INAH is currently constructing a new museum and visitor centers at a highly-visited tourist spot, while also developing a train system called the Tren Maya to provide transportation to the area.
A sculpture depicting a human-like figure was found during archaeological digs in Yucatan.
According to UNESCO, Chichén Itzá attracts a minimum of 3,500 visitors per day, but this number can reach up to 8,000 during the peak season.
Regular upkeep and careful monitoring are necessary to prevent the decay of its pre-Columbian structure.
The statue of a warrior, found at the Casa Colorada site in Chichén Itzá, was uncovered as part of an archaeological investigation that accompanied the building of a railway line.
To date, while building the train route, several archaeological discoveries have been uncovered, such as over a million pieces of pottery and 600 human burial sites.
Numerous architectural buildings and a diverse range of other objects have also been unearthed.
Experts claim that finding the face sculpture at the Archaeological Zone of Chichén Itzá signifies the connection between present-day inhabitants of the area and their historical roots.
Even with a fracture, it is said that the sculpture stands out and is well preserved.
According to INAH, the sculptural parameters align with those commonly used during the early stages of the Mayan city’s development.
Source: independent.co.uk
