The Holmul Frieze (Building A, Group II)

3D Model

A 26-foot-long frieze in the city-state of Holmul depicts a complex religious scene with an inscription that suggests close ties with the Snake dynasty. The central figure is the Holmul king who died around 590 and was buried in the tomb the frieze adorns. Maneuvering in the close confines of an excavated tunnel, scientists used a 3-D scanner to acquire precise measurements and produce this detailed digital replica.

You can learn more about the frieze, its significance, and historical context in this recent National Geographic article: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2016/09/maya-empire-snake-kings-dynasty-mesoamerica/

(3-D MODEL BY ALEXANDRE TOKOVININE, CMHI, PEABODY MUSEUM OF ARCHAEOLOGY AND ETHNOLOGY, HARVARD UNIVERSITY)

A larger 3D model is also available via Sketchfab: https://skfb.ly/Pytt