This terracotta figure is a Mesoamerican wheeled toy, most likely from the Maya civilization, dating from around 600–900 CE. It represents an animal—possibly a jaguar or a dog—mounted on four solid clay wheels connected by axles.

Such objects have been found in various sites across ancient Mesoamerica, including Veracruz, Tabasco, and the Maya lowlands.

Despite the absence of practical wheeled vehicles in the Americas before European contact, these small artifacts reveal that the concept of the wheel was understood and used in children’s toys.

Made from fired clay, the toy was likely painted with mineral pigments, traces of which can still be seen on the surface. These wheeled figures provide valuable insight into the technological imagination and daily life of ancient Mesoamerican societies, combining artistry, play, and an early understanding of mechanics.