Chojolom

Chojolom is a small Maya archaeological site in the western highlands of Guatemala. The site features a number of sculpted stones that are presumed to belong to the Kʼicheʼ Maya culture of the Postclassic Period (approximately AD 900–1520).^[2] Chojolom is situated on a hill in the municipality of Cantel, in the department of Quetzaltenango.^[3] The municipality is inhabited by Kʼicheʼ Maya to this day, who make up 93.8% of the local population.^[4] Cantel is located 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) from the modern city of Quetzaltenango at Kilometer 217 on the CA2 Highway.^[5] Chojolom is believed to have been a ritual site.^[6]

Boulder sculpture at Chojolom, believed to represent the head of a deity.^[1]

Artificial cave where one of the stone heads was found

Chojolom means "by the head" in the Kʼicheʼ Maya language, deriving from the root word jolom ("head").^[7] Local historian Mariano Cornejo has speculated that the depositing of the stone heads and the naming of the hill may be linked.^[8]

Sculptures

As of September 2010 three sculpted stone heads have been found at the site; one of an armadillo, one human and one representing a deity.^[9] The heads were discovered when mud was cleared away after a period of heavy rain in 2010.^[10] One of the stone heads was found in a cave at the site.^[11] Ceramics and bones have also been found, which may represent a ritual offering.^[12] In addition to the stone heads, a clay head has also been found.^[13] A minor landslide in October 2010 revealed a stone altar under a tree root.^[14]

The Armadillo Head measures approximately 15 by 20 centimetres (5.9 by 7.9 in).^[15] The nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) is native to the Cantel region.^[16] The Armadillo Head was the first of the three stone heads to have been found by local farmer Sebastián Sam.^[17]

The Human Head measures 50 by 50 centimetres (20 by 20 in).^[18] It was the second stone head to be discovered at Chojolom.^[19]

The Deity Head is the largest sculpture, measuring 1.1 by 1.4 metres (3.6 by 4.6 ft).^[20] It was the third stone head to be found at the site.^[21]

The Altar measures 25 by 50 centimetres (9.8 by 19.7 in) and bears designs that include circles, hills, human figures and a deer.^[22] The combination of six human figures with the deer has been interpreted as a Maya calendrical date by Guatemalan anthropologist Lina Barrios.^[23]

Gallery

• 
  The Human Head sculpture
• 
  The Armadillo Head sculpture

See also

• Cerro Quiac