This fine replica of a seated God is typical of the thousands of statues that have been found in Central America dating from 1, 500 BC up to the Spanish Conquest in the 16th century. The cultures varied greatly over time and were centred in differing parts of Central America ranging from the Olmecs, Toltecs, Zapotecs through to the more famous Mayan and Aztec civilisations. However, many of the gods were universal to all the civilisations. The Spanish in their Christian zeal destroyed most of the records of the cultures they conquered so identification of the many statues and gods is very difficult. In this case, the crown of turquoise and the seated position observing his surroundings indicate that this could be one of the many images of the Aztec god of fire Xiutecuhtli.