Discovery
![Picture](/uploads/6/0/4/2/60427223/6960975_orig.jpg)
- Archaeologist William Saturno discovered the painting, after looking for a spot to rest and find shade, he slipped into a tunnel, shined his light to a wall and he discovered the painting.
- 6 ft wide and 2 ft tall
- Persevered well because it was covered by mud and then it was sealed
Meanings of the mural- the north wall
![Picture](/uploads/6/0/4/2/60427223/3651964_orig.jpg)
The paintings show a detailed portrait of Maya mythology and their beliefs in the creation of the world.
The north wall, show mythical scenes that narrate the birth of the first men through a ritual that is conducted by the Maize God.
This scene is further reflected by the images of infants that represent the four directional cardinal points and the mundi axis
The north wall shows a scene that includes nine characters. All figures are standing or kneeling on a feathered serpent.
The scene is dominated by the Maize God who is standing and moving toward the viewer's left, looking over his shoulder at two kneeling female figures behind him. In turn, behind the women is another woman who is participating in another activity and who is described to be the wife of the Maize God.
To the right of this woman are two characters that are carrying sacred bundles and in front of these characters are hieroglyphic texts that unfortunately are not possible to decipher. It is however possible that these texts indicate the names or functions of these people or the contents of the sacred bundles.
To the left of the Maize God you can see two kneeling figures. The first is a male with a blackened face carrying a gourd, pumpkin, while the second figure to the left is a woman, carrying a basket or bowl of tamales. To the left of the serpent with the nine characters, is a different scene where a character is carrying an ax (possibly a warrior), as well as a scene consisting of five infants symbolizing birth and the four cardinal directional points with the mundi axis in the center. In this center there is again an image of a gourd, pumpkin, symbolizing breath and blood.
The north wall, show mythical scenes that narrate the birth of the first men through a ritual that is conducted by the Maize God.
This scene is further reflected by the images of infants that represent the four directional cardinal points and the mundi axis
The north wall shows a scene that includes nine characters. All figures are standing or kneeling on a feathered serpent.
The scene is dominated by the Maize God who is standing and moving toward the viewer's left, looking over his shoulder at two kneeling female figures behind him. In turn, behind the women is another woman who is participating in another activity and who is described to be the wife of the Maize God.
To the right of this woman are two characters that are carrying sacred bundles and in front of these characters are hieroglyphic texts that unfortunately are not possible to decipher. It is however possible that these texts indicate the names or functions of these people or the contents of the sacred bundles.
To the left of the Maize God you can see two kneeling figures. The first is a male with a blackened face carrying a gourd, pumpkin, while the second figure to the left is a woman, carrying a basket or bowl of tamales. To the left of the serpent with the nine characters, is a different scene where a character is carrying an ax (possibly a warrior), as well as a scene consisting of five infants symbolizing birth and the four cardinal directional points with the mundi axis in the center. In this center there is again an image of a gourd, pumpkin, symbolizing breath and blood.
![Picture](/uploads/6/0/4/2/60427223/7197539.jpg?250)
Sources:
"The Painted Murals of San Bartolo." UNESCO. World Heritage Centre, 27 Apr. 2012. Web. 30 Nov. 2015.
Parcell, D. L. "Oldest Intact Maya Mural Found in Guatemala." National Geographic. National Geographic Society, 22 Mar. 2002. Web. 30 Nov. 2015.
"The Painted Murals of San Bartolo." UNESCO. World Heritage Centre, 27 Apr. 2012. Web. 30 Nov. 2015.
Parcell, D. L. "Oldest Intact Maya Mural Found in Guatemala." National Geographic. National Geographic Society, 22 Mar. 2002. Web. 30 Nov. 2015.