The Mayas made many little pottery figures. These figures were probably used in religious ceremonies. Many were made to rattle or whistle. 

Although very small, figures were detailed and brightly painted. Each offers a look at Maya life. Some of the figures include a bearded man on a throne, a person in a wide hat, a ballplayer wearing heavily padded clothing, and a musician shaking a rattle. 

Not all of the art the Maya created is pleasant. Archaeologists found one site that had 50 carved monuments. Some of the carvings show scenes of horrible killings. Others have carvings of demons and scary creatures. Still others have pictures of bird gods.