---
title: Tezcatlipoca Turquoise Skull
author: Trustees of the British Museum
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/1382/tezcatlipoca-turquoise-skull/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 1970-01-01
---
# Tezcatlipoca Turquoise Skull
_Authored by Trustees of the British Museum_
## Image File
[](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/1382.jpg)
## Image Caption
A decorated human skull thought to represent the Mesoamerican [god](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/) [Tezcatlipoca](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tezcatlipoca/). [Mosaic](https://www.worldhistory.org/Mosaic/) of turquoise and lignite cover the skull with red thorny oyster shell used around the nasal cavity. Polished pyrite surrounded by white conch shell provide the eyes. The interior lining of the skull and straps are made with deerskin. (Date unknown, The British Museum, London).
## Bibliography
- [Mask of Tezcatlipoca at the British Museum](http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/aoa/m/mosaic_mask_of_tezcatlipoca.aspx "Mask of Tezcatlipoca at the British Museum"), accessed 1 Dec 2016.
## Cite This Work
### APA
Museum, T. o. t. B. (2013, August 13). Tezcatlipoca Turquoise Skull. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Museum, Trustees of the British. "Tezcatlipoca Turquoise Skull." *World History Encyclopedia*, August 13, 2013. .
### MLA
Museum, Trustees of the British. "Tezcatlipoca Turquoise Skull." *World History Encyclopedia*, 13 Aug 2013, .
## License & Copyright
© Trustees of the [British Museum](http://www.britishmuseum.org/). Republished under the British Museum [Standard Terms of Use](http://www.britishmuseum.org/about_this_site/terms_of_use.aspx) for non-profit educational purposes. [Original image](http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=667485&partId=1&searchText=Tezcatlipoca&images=true&view=list&page=1) by [**Trustees of the British Museum**](http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=667485&partId=1&searchText=Tezcatlipoca&images=true&view=list&page=1). Submitted by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/ "User Page: Mark Cartwright"), published on 13 August 2013. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Copyright](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright). You cannot use, copy, distribute, or modify this item without explicit permission from the author. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.