Six chapters of FLAAR Mesoamerica’s fully-illustrated discussion of zoology and Maya iconography of crocodiles of Mesoamerica are now available for you as a download.1. Crocodiles are obviously associated with Water, So in Maya Art, Crocodiles as associated with Water Symbolism

2. Maya portraits of Crocodiles as 3-dimensional ceramic figurines and deep-relief renditions

3. Full-bodied Crocodiles as roof of Throne Rooms

4. Crocodiles in Bas-relief Sculptures at Copan, Honduras

5. Crocodile Trees, Izapa, Early Classic Maya, Late Classic (Codex Style vases)

6. Crocodile and Composite Deer-Crocodile as Bicephalic Cosmic Monster

The bibliography and list of suggested reading on crocodiles and caiman of Guatemala, Mexico, Belize, Honduras and El Salvador is a separate PDF to download.

For archaeologists, epigraphers and especially iconographers, lots of material here.

For botanists and ethnobotanists, the Crocodile Tree is of interest. Some are obviously Crescentia species, gourd tree (jicaro, morro), but there are other species not yet identified. Plus there are many trees in Guatemala named “Palo de Lagarto” with Lagarto meaning crocodile and not merely lizard.

Download them all here!