Warrior with Weapon and Trophy Head, c. A.D. 1000. Atlantic Watershed Region, Costa Rica. Basalt: 20" x 11". Gift of Mrs. A.A. Seeligson, Sr. RELIGIOUS ENVIRONMENT eligion and ritual in pre-Columbian Central America were centered on concerns for the continued fertility of the land. Human sacrifice, especially as part of a trophy-head cult, was widely practiced to assure fertility. The principal deity in most Central American societies was the sun. The sun was considered the source of vital energy that created and sustained the world. Gold was believed to have a solar origin and cherished for that reason. Rulers wore gold ornaments to identify themselves with the solar deity.						Physical Religious Artistic Economic Social