Maya jade carving craft

Timeline

1. c. 600–650Copán · Copán DepartmentFrom the late 6th to early 7th century, craftsmen in city-states such as Copán carved jade axe-shaped objects, deity heads, and ritual implements using cord-sawing and grinding techniques; the works were elaborate and often inlaid with shell and obsidian.
2. c. 651–700Palenque and Calakmul · MexicoIn the 7th century, royal tombs at Palenque, Calakmul, and elsewhere yielded large numbers of jade masks, bead strings, and animal-shaped ornaments; jade carving reached a refined and elaborate peak in funerary ritual, displaying the ruler's sacred authority.