Body Modification Amongst the Ancient Mayans

Accounts of body modification among the ancient Maya are numerous, but rarely fully understood. The methods, styles, and types were extremely varied and their use is still prevalent today in modern body modification culture.  Entombed bodies of rulers and commoners displayed their modifications proudly, even after death. While the modifications in question are frequently believed to be the product of individual self-expression, they are also believed to have been utilized  as an indicator of socio-economic status, political hierarchy, specialized skill, religious power and family lineage.

Cranial Deformation One of the most widely discussed and infamous modifications was Maya cranial deformation. Cranial deformation was achieved by manipulating the growth of a baby’s skull. Two boards were fastened to the back and front of the head for weeks, sometimes months, until the skull adapted to the pressure and the results were permanent. Though the binding of the skull was painful and often dangerous, it was seen as necessary and jumpstarted the practice of auto-sacrifice early on.  One argument as to why the Mayans did this is thy believed their massive and near-vertical temples brought them into closer proximity to the heavens, and therefore a tighter line of communication with the Gods.

Dental Modification The Mayans were known for dental modification, as they frequently embedded small pieces of jade into their teeth. There is little archaeological evidence of exactly how this process was done, and how the jade, obsidian, pyrite and turquoise was so precisely placed and set inside the teeth that they stood the test of time and remained so well preserved. It is argued that the use of a cement-like mixture was used to keep the stones in place. The purpose of dental modification remains a mystery. Because it was found in elites and commoners alike, there is hardly any speculation concerning the social significance of these modifications.

Tattoos A prominent and incredibly important part of Maya body modification was the application and usage of tattoos. The Maya tattooed nearly every surface of their body. Popular areas were the face, hands, legs and arms. The tattoos supposedly had two purposes. Firstly, a sign of  bravery and courage. Since the process wasimmensely painful and due to the lack of aftercare and the unsanitary conditions of tattoo application, they were a sign of strength and relentlessness of spirit. Secondly, they were another form of honouring deities, as the Maya had intricate and elaborate designs depicting mythical figures engrained in their flesh permanently.

Piercings The act of piercing and gauging is an incredibly important aspect of Mayan body modification.  The ears were pierced by passing a stingray spine attached to a long cord through the earlobe. Heavy stones were attached to the cord, weighing down and eventually stretching the ear lobes. The stretched holes, or ‘ear flares’ as they are frequently called, were filled with plugs or plates made from precious stones like jade and obsidian. In addition to ears, the lips and nose were frequently pierced and stretched. The septum, nostrils and labret were pierced and incised with jade and other stones. The labret and lip piercings were “seen as highly attractive and enhanced sexuality and sexual attraction.”