MUSHROOM STONE - MAYA CIVILIZATION, GUATEMALA, C. 500-1000 AD
MUSHROOM STONE - MAYA CIVILIZATION, GUATEMALA, C. 500-1000 AD
Volcanic Stone
Maya civilization, Guatemala, c. 500-1000 AD
These stones are often cited as archaeological evidence for Maya use of Psilocybe Mexicana. Christian missionaries destroyed many mushroom stones similar to this example as they were believed to be related to the ingestion of hallucinogenic mushrooms. Only about 200 examples survived this destruction (Stephan F. de Borhegyi 1961).
This survivor is carved from a single piece of volcanic stone in the form of an erect mushroom on a three-legged base.
Dimensions: HEIGHT 17 CM
Condition: Age-commensurate surface wear, overall good condition
Provenance: Formerly from an American Private collection, 1988, then property of Galerie Alt-Amerika in 2008