Images

Lintel 14, from Yaxchilan. The relief carving depicts Lord and Lady Great Skull and a ritual-induced vision of a snake creature. 8th century CE.

Structure 33 at the Maya site of Yaxchilan, Mexico. The building has the typical ornate roof comb of Petén architecture and was built c. 750 CE.

The temple pyramid known as the Castillo, Tulum, Mexico. 12-15th century CE.

The Temple of the Frescoes, Tulum, Mexico. 12-15th century CE.

The Temple of the Winds at the ancient Mesoamerican site of Tulum, Mexico.

Inca qollqa (storehouses) used for storing grain and other foodstuffs. 15-16th century CE, Ollantaytambo.

Relief depicting the rapt of Persephone by Hades. Emerging from the earth, the god of the underworld and underground forces, Hades, kidnaps his niece, Persephone, with whom he is in love. Found at the Roman Villa of Chiragan, France. Early...

An Inca circular terracing used to increase agricultural yield. Moray, Peru, 15-16th century CE.

Terracotta statuette of Hades sitting on his throne, from Boeotia, c. 400-350 BCE (Staatliche Antikensammlungen, Munich)

Apulian red-figure volute krater with scenes of the Underworld, c. 340-330 BCE. Hades sits enthroned in the palace beside a standing Persephone, who holds a four-headed Eleusinian torch. The god wields a bird-tipped staff. (Staatliche Antikensammlungen...