Temple Effigy

The Mezcala culture is believed to have originated in the upper areas of the Mezcala River, also known as the Balsas River. Former Duke University curator Paul Clifford proposes that this temple effigy sculpture is from the Pre-Classic Period of Mesoamerican culture, dating sometime between 300 and 100 B.C.E. He also believes that this work of art comes from the Mezcala River area, which is the present-day Mexican state of Guerrero. 

This model of a complete Mezcala temple is covered in a layer of calcium carbonate, commonly known as limestone.  Some areas of the surface show the original green color of the stone, which has a polished finish. The layers of soil, minerals, and rocks on the surface of this work of art indicate that it is ancient. 

The temple has a low platform depicting a tablero, or double board, and a talud, or wide slope, leading up to a four-columned structure that supports the roof. From the bottom center of the temple, there are five steps up to the platform in the middle of the building. There is a human-like figure standing in the center of the temple. This work is unique to the NCMA collection, as it provides information about what buildings may have looked like in the Mezcala era. No buildings from this era have been discovered.