{"id":377,"date":"2012-11-30T10:28:52","date_gmt":"2012-11-30T15:28:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/?page_id=377"},"modified":"2025-07-21T09:42:23","modified_gmt":"2025-07-21T13:42:23","slug":"the-natural-world","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/worldviews\/the-natural-world\/","title":{"rendered":"The Natural World"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Maya artists produced renderings of types of animals which were significant to the members of society as food, pets or pests. It is difficult to determine if animals depicted on ceramic vessels are parts of purely naturalistic scenes, are related to stories whose texts have not survived from the Classic period or are supernatural creatures. Some of these animals probably represent counterparts of humans, or <em>wayob<\/em>. Among the present-day Tzotzil Maya of Chiapas it is believed that every individual has an animal counterpart which must be protected from harm in order to stay alive. A person\u2019s status in society determines the kind of way he or she possesses.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kt-sc377_7d287a-93 .kt-sc-imgcol, .kt-sc377_7d287a-93 .kt-sc-textcol{min-height:450px;}.kt-sc377_7d287a-93 .kt-sc-textcol{padding-top:24px;padding-right:24px;padding-bottom:24px;padding-left:24px;margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kt-sc377_7d287a-93 .kt-sc-imgcol, .kt-sc377_7d287a-93 .kt-sc-textcol{min-height:450px;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"aligncenter kt-sc377_7d287a-93 wp-block-kadence-splitcontent\"><div class=\"kt-split-content-wrap kt-sc-media-side-left\" style=\"grid-template-columns:50% auto\"><div class=\"kt-sc-imgcol kt-sc-imgcol-bg-auto kt-sc-img-side-left\"><figure class=\"kt-split-content-media-image wp-image-container-24242\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm515.jpeg\" alt=\"Ceramic vase, taller than wide with vertical sides and one of three small feet visible. Decorative band just below rim and intricate figures painted below.\" width=\"526\" height=\"784\" class=\"kt-split-content-img wp-image-24242\" srcset=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm515.jpeg 526w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm515-201x300.jpeg 201w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm515-94x140.jpeg 94w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm515-317x472.jpeg 317w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm515-423x630.jpeg 423w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,526px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"kt-sc-textcol kt-sc-text-valign-center kt-sc-text-halign-center\"><div class=\"kt-sc-innter-col\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color has--font-size wp-elements-1cf2a4df213753fe145e01796b42c80e\" style=\"color:#0c598e\"><strong>Maya Cylinder Vase<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>AD 600 &#8211; 900<br>Late Classic Ul\u00faa Valley<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This vase was found with the jade pendant in the \u201cPalace Life\u201d section of the exhibit, in a tomb located in an area inhabited by the Lenca, neighbors of the Maya. The theme of blowgun hunters and cormorants is also common in Maya ceramics and demonstrates a significant amount of symbolic sharing across cultural boundaries. Cormorants were associated with the supernatural because they live in three worlds: they fly in the sky, nest on the earth and swim in the water. Although the Hero Twins were blowgun hunters, this scene probably refers to a myth other than the Popul Vuh. Pseudoglyphs encircle the rim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hudsonmuseum.catalogaccess.com\/objects\/5263\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">HM515<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id377_c0b167-4a > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id377_c0b167-4a > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id377_c0b167-4a > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);grid-template-columns:repeat(2, minmax(0, 1fr));}.kb-row-layout-id377_c0b167-4a > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id377_c0b167-4a > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:repeat(2, minmax(0, 1fr));}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id377_c0b167-4a > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id377_c0b167-4a alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-2-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column377_f04bcb-ba > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column377_f04bcb-ba > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column377_f04bcb-ba > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column377_f04bcb-ba > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column377_f04bcb-ba > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column377_f04bcb-ba > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column377_f04bcb-ba{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column377_f04bcb-ba > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column377_f04bcb-ba > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column377_f04bcb-ba\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedgallery .kb-gallery-type-masonry.kb-gallery-id-377_26487f-6b{margin:-5px;}.kb-gallery-type-masonry.kb-gallery-id-377_26487f-6b .kadence-blocks-gallery-item{padding:5px;}.kb-gallery-id-377_26487f-6b .kadence-blocks-gallery-item .kb-gal-image-radius, .kb-gallery-id-377_26487f-6b .kb-slide-item .kb-gal-image-radius img{border-radius:0px 0px 0px 0px;;}<\/style><div class=\"kb-gallery-wrap-id-377_26487f-6b alignnone wp-block-kadence-advancedgallery\"><ul class=\"kb-gallery-ul kb-gallery-non-static kb-gallery-type-masonry kb-masonry-init kb-gallery-id-377_26487f-6b kb-gallery-caption-style-bottom-hover kb-gallery-filter-none\" data-image-filter=\"none\" data-item-selector=\".kadence-blocks-gallery-item\" data-lightbox-caption=\"true\" data-columns-xxl=\"2\" data-columns-xl=\"2\" data-columns-md=\"2\" data-columns-sm=\"2\" data-columns-xs=\"1\" data-columns-ss=\"1\"><li class=\"kadence-blocks-gallery-item\" tabindex=\"0\"><div class=\"kadence-blocks-gallery-item-inner\"><figure class=\"kb-gallery-figure kadence-blocks-gallery-item-hide-caption\"><div class=\"kb-gal-image-radius\" style=\"max-width:319px;\"><div class=\"kb-gallery-image-contain kadence-blocks-gallery-intrinsic\" style=\"padding-bottom:124%;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm4624.jpeg\" width=\"319\" height=\"398\" alt=\"Small greenstone bead in the shape of a face, mouth slightly open, eyes possibly frowning.\" data-full-image=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm4624.jpeg\" data-light-image=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm4624.jpeg\" data-id=\"24243\" class=\"wp-image-24243\" srcset=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm4624.jpeg 319w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm4624-240x300.jpeg 240w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm4624-105x131.jpeg 105w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm4624-317x396.jpeg 317w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,319px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/figure><\/div><\/li><li class=\"kadence-blocks-gallery-item\" tabindex=\"0\"><div class=\"kadence-blocks-gallery-item-inner\"><figure class=\"kb-gallery-figure kadence-blocks-gallery-item-hide-caption\"><div class=\"kb-gal-image-radius\" style=\"max-width:819px;\"><div class=\"kb-gallery-image-contain kadence-blocks-gallery-intrinsic\" style=\"padding-bottom:125%;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm4625-819x1024.jpeg\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" alt=\"Small greenstone bead in the shape of an owl with large eyes.\" data-full-image=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm4625.jpeg\" data-light-image=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm4625.jpeg\" data-id=\"24246\" class=\"wp-image-24246\" srcset=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm4625-819x1024.jpeg 819w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm4625-240x300.jpeg 240w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm4625-768x961.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm4625-105x131.jpeg 105w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm4625-317x397.jpeg 317w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm4625-423x529.jpeg 423w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm4625-634x793.jpeg 634w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm4625-846x1058.jpeg 846w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm4625.jpeg 933w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,819px\" \/><\/div><\/div><\/figure><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column377_7ce6c2-e0 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column377_7ce6c2-e0 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column377_7ce6c2-e0 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column377_7ce6c2-e0 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column377_7ce6c2-e0 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column377_7ce6c2-e0 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column377_7ce6c2-e0{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column377_7ce6c2-e0 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column377_7ce6c2-e0 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column377_7ce6c2-e0\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has--font-size has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-366fe692710247144d7d80f285a660d8\" style=\"color:#0c598e\"><strong>Maya Carved Beads<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">AD 600 &#8211; 900<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Carved jade ornaments in the form of a monkey&#8217;s head and an owl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/hudsonmuseum.catalogaccess.com\/objects\/4676\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">HM4624<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/hudsonmuseum.catalogaccess.com\/objects\/4677\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">HM4625<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.kt-sc377_4cf873-50 .kt-sc-imgcol, .kt-sc377_4cf873-50 .kt-sc-textcol{min-height:450px;}.kt-sc377_4cf873-50 .kt-sc-textcol{padding-top:24px;padding-right:24px;padding-bottom:24px;padding-left:24px;margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kt-sc377_4cf873-50 .kt-sc-imgcol, .kt-sc377_4cf873-50 .kt-sc-textcol{min-height:450px;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"aligncenter kt-sc377_4cf873-50 wp-block-kadence-splitcontent\"><div class=\"kt-split-content-wrap kt-sc-media-side-left\" style=\"grid-template-columns:50% auto\"><div class=\"kt-sc-imgcol kt-sc-imgcol-bg-auto kt-sc-img-side-left\"><figure class=\"kt-split-content-media-image wp-image-container-24247\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm1194.jpeg\" alt=\"Ceramic vase, vertical sides that slightly contract toward base. Pained with red and black on orange. Black spots scattered across surface.\" width=\"1420\" height=\"2170\" class=\"kt-split-content-img wp-image-24247\" srcset=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm1194.jpeg 1420w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm1194-196x300.jpeg 196w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm1194-670x1024.jpeg 670w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm1194-768x1174.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm1194-1005x1536.jpeg 1005w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm1194-1340x2048.jpeg 1340w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm1194-92x140.jpeg 92w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm1194-317x484.jpeg 317w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm1194-423x646.jpeg 423w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm1194-634x969.jpeg 634w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm1194-846x1293.jpeg 846w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm1194-951x1453.jpeg 951w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm1194-1268x1938.jpeg 1268w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,1420px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"kt-sc-textcol kt-sc-text-valign-center kt-sc-text-halign-center\"><div class=\"kt-sc-innter-col\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color has--font-size wp-elements-1cf2a4df213753fe145e01796b42c80e\" style=\"color:#0c598e\"><strong>Maya Cylinder Vase<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>AD 600 &#8211; 900<br>Late Classic San August\u00edn Acasaguastl\u00e1n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Interpretation of the the vase\u2019s symbolism is uncertain. The glyph band below the rim is probably the Primary Standard Sequence. Four human figures parade around the vase, one accompanied by an erect mammal and another accompanied by an insect. Two humans carry staffs that are similar to maize stalks, one human has a less elaborate staff and the fourth has no staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hudsonmuseum.catalogaccess.com\/objects\/841\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">HM1194<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-377_dd3641-f4 .kt-block-spacer{height:20px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-377_dd3641-f4 .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-377_dd3641-f4\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kt-sc377_dd3641-f4 .kt-sc-imgcol, .kt-sc377_dd3641-f4 .kt-sc-textcol{min-height:450px;}.kt-sc377_dd3641-f4 .kt-sc-textcol{padding-top:24px;padding-right:24px;padding-bottom:24px;padding-left:24px;margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kt-sc377_dd3641-f4 .kt-sc-imgcol, .kt-sc377_dd3641-f4 .kt-sc-textcol{min-height:450px;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"aligncenter kt-sc377_dd3641-f4 wp-block-kadence-splitcontent\"><div class=\"kt-split-content-wrap kt-sc-media-side-left\" style=\"grid-template-columns:50% auto\"><div class=\"kt-sc-imgcol kt-sc-imgcol-bg-auto kt-sc-img-side-left\"><figure class=\"kt-split-content-media-image wp-image-container-24250\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"527\" height=\"703\" src=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/HM1184_noHM.jpg\" alt=\"Ceramic vessel with vertical walls. Tan interior and base color. Decorated in black and red. Bands at top and bottom with glyphs on red background. Middle is a band of stylized bat heads in a grid.\" class=\"kt-split-content-img wp-image-24250\" srcset=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/HM1184_noHM.jpg 527w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/HM1184_noHM-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/HM1184_noHM-105x140.jpg 105w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/HM1184_noHM-317x423.jpg 317w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/HM1184_noHM-423x564.jpg 423w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,527px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"kt-sc-textcol kt-sc-text-valign-center kt-sc-text-halign-center\"><div class=\"kt-sc-innter-col\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color has--font-size wp-elements-1cf2a4df213753fe145e01796b42c80e\" style=\"color:#0c598e\"><strong>Maya Cylinder Vase<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>AD 600 &#8211; 900<br>Late Classic Alta Verapaz (Cob\u00e1n region)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The glyph repeated below the rim seems to be <em>muluc <\/em>day sign or a variant of \u201cjade.\u201d The bat is a frequent motif of pottery painters from Alta Verapaz. The profiles of bat heads on this vase may refer to supernatural <em>Camazotz&#8217;<\/em> of the Popul Vuh or may be the emblem of a social group or ruling family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hudsonmuseum.catalogaccess.com\/objects\/831\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">HM1184<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-377_3431fe-77 .kt-block-spacer{height:20px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-377_3431fe-77 .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-377_3431fe-77\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kt-sc377_3431fe-77 .kt-sc-imgcol, .kt-sc377_3431fe-77 .kt-sc-textcol{min-height:450px;}.kt-sc377_3431fe-77 .kt-sc-textcol{padding-top:24px;padding-right:24px;padding-bottom:24px;padding-left:24px;margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kt-sc377_3431fe-77 .kt-sc-imgcol, .kt-sc377_3431fe-77 .kt-sc-textcol{min-height:450px;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"aligncenter kt-sc377_3431fe-77 wp-block-kadence-splitcontent\"><div class=\"kt-split-content-wrap kt-sc-media-side-left\" style=\"grid-template-columns:50% auto\"><div class=\"kt-sc-imgcol kt-sc-imgcol-bg-auto kt-sc-img-side-left\"><figure class=\"kt-split-content-media-image wp-image-container-24252\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"562\" height=\"749\" src=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm1176_noHM.jpg\" alt=\"Ceramic object in the shape of a being with the body of a human male and the wings and head of a bat.\" class=\"kt-split-content-img wp-image-24252\" srcset=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm1176_noHM.jpg 562w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm1176_noHM-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm1176_noHM-105x140.jpg 105w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm1176_noHM-317x422.jpg 317w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm1176_noHM-423x564.jpg 423w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,562px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"kt-sc-textcol kt-sc-text-valign-center kt-sc-text-halign-center\"><div class=\"kt-sc-innter-col\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color has--font-size wp-elements-265802d9bf896058cebb304486815133\" style=\"color:#0c598e\"><strong>Maya Rattle<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>500 BC &#8211; AD 250<br>South coast of Guatemala<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hudsonmuseum.catalogaccess.com\/objects\/822\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">HM1176<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-377_f4fc5b-c2 .kt-block-spacer{height:20px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-377_f4fc5b-c2 .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-377_f4fc5b-c2\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kt-sc377_3431fe-77 .kt-sc-imgcol, .kt-sc377_3431fe-77 .kt-sc-textcol{min-height:450px;}.kt-sc377_3431fe-77 .kt-sc-textcol{padding-top:24px;padding-right:24px;padding-bottom:24px;padding-left:24px;margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kt-sc377_3431fe-77 .kt-sc-imgcol, .kt-sc377_3431fe-77 .kt-sc-textcol{min-height:450px;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"aligncenter kt-sc377_3431fe-77 wp-block-kadence-splitcontent\"><div class=\"kt-split-content-wrap kt-sc-media-side-left\" style=\"grid-template-columns:50% auto\"><div class=\"kt-sc-imgcol kt-sc-imgcol-bg-auto kt-sc-img-side-left\"><figure class=\"kt-split-content-media-image wp-image-container-24251\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1465\" height=\"1954\" src=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm1171-edited.jpeg\" alt=\"Ceramic vessel in the shape of a bird head with a man peaking out inside the slightly open beak. Beak is painted yellow.\" class=\"kt-split-content-img wp-image-24251\" srcset=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm1171-edited.jpeg 1465w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm1171-edited-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm1171-edited-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm1171-edited-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm1171-edited-105x140.jpeg 105w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm1171-edited-317x423.jpeg 317w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm1171-edited-423x564.jpeg 423w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm1171-edited-634x846.jpeg 634w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm1171-edited-846x1128.jpeg 846w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm1171-edited-951x1268.jpeg 951w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/275\/2025\/07\/hm1171-edited-1268x1691.jpeg 1268w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,1465px\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"kt-sc-textcol kt-sc-text-valign-center kt-sc-text-halign-center\"><div class=\"kt-sc-innter-col\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color has--font-size wp-elements-837169fb318f3fde8e6c5dc66e157a75\" style=\"color:#0c598e\"><strong>Maya Incense Burner<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>AD 600 &#8211; 900<br>Late Classic Alta Verapaz<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The fusion of human and bird characteristics may represent the relationship between an individual and his way, or animal counterpart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hudsonmuseum.catalogaccess.com\/objects\/817\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">HM1171<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Maya artists produced renderings of types of animals which were significant to the members of society as food, pets or pests. It is difficult to determine if animals depicted on ceramic vessels are parts of purely naturalistic scenes, are related to stories whose texts have not survived from the Classic period or are supernatural creatures. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2281,"featured_media":0,"parent":76,"menu_order":4,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"templates\/page-withsidebar.php","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-377","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>The Natural World - Hudson Museum - University of Maine<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/hudsonmuseum\/worldviews\/the-natural-world\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Natural World - Hudson Museum - University of Maine\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Maya artists produced renderings of types of animals which were significant to the members of society as food, pets or pests. It is difficult to determine if animals depicted on ceramic vessels are parts of purely naturalistic scenes, are related to stories whose texts have not survived from the Classic period or are supernatural creatures. 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