The Life-Giving Stone: Ethnoarchaeology of Maya Metates

5. Archaeological Implications

The previous chapters have presented extensive ethnographic data on the various aspects of the life cycle of manos and metates. Although this information could aid in numerous ways in the interpretation of the material culture of prehistoric peoples, I will highlight just a few applications of its utility. In particular, this chapter explores material traces of behavior associated with mano and metate use, metates as economic indicators, and long-distance exchange factors affecting the price of these tools. I also describe implications for modern use locations of grinding stones and provide an analysis of metate function and standardization. Patterns of Use Wear During my research, I found many manos and metates, purportedly three to four generations old, that had been passed down to the current owners from mothers and grandmothers over the course of 100 to 150 years. One of the most striking characteristics of these older specimens is a well-worn grinding surface that often exhibits a shiny patina. Manos, too, showed a variety of wear patterns. The notable differences in use wear between Eastern- and Western-style metates and manos are described separately, observations that enhance the analysis and interpretation of restricted and unrestricted ancient grinding stones. Eastern-Style Wear Patterns Metates of the Eastern style have preformed recessed troughs that deepen over time and with much use. I measured many troughs with a depth of five Archaeological Implications chapter five 102 around 4 to 5 cm. Trough depth varies with the frequency of use and the hardness of stone, but typically, Eastern-style metates that have been used extensively exhibit a deep trough. During my analysis of grinding times among the Q’eqchi’, who use the Eastern-style metate, I noted that grinding occurs on only about three-fifths of the metate surface. The elevated, proximal end of the grinding surface holds the nixtamal to be ground, while the far distal end holds any masa pushed to the end of the metate during grinding (fig. 5.1). I never observed the Q’eqchi’ allowing food to fall off the end of the metate, unlike the K’iche’, who use an ac’qeen to catch falling particles (see fig. 2.3). To accommodate the mass of ground food that collects at the distal end, the Q’eqchi’ use less of the grinding surface, which is also reserved for the varves or balls of masa that will eventually be patted into individual tortillas. I also learned that Eastern-style manos (those used with a restricted/ trough metate that are lenticular in longitudinal cross-section) have two broad grinding surfaces with specific purposes, although not all interviewees reported using both sides, a practice that likely varies with the preference of the woman grinding. The Q’eqchi’ said that one side is used for the poch’oc, or the “rough grind” of maize. This side is usually rough with more exposed vesicles that help “grab” and grind whole kernels of corn into the metate surface during the first and second grinds. The opposite surface, intended for the litz’oc, or “fine grind,” appears highly polished with few exposed vesicles. This final grind produces a smooth-textured masa. These Eastern-style characteristics suggest that many of the manos found in the archaeological record may have been used on both sides, with each dedicated to either a rough or fine grind. Further study of other mano types exhibiting similar wear patterns may also indicate this double-sided attribute. Another use-wear pattern noted was the variation in thickness of Eastern-style manos. Working with these tools over many years reduces the stone from both the metate and mano grinding surfaces. It was not uncommon to see manos that were extremely thin (around 3 cm), leaving the woman grinding only enough stone on the edges to hold with her fingertips. If the original thickness of the mano can be determined, the amount of time a mano may have been used could be deduced. archaeological implications 103 As discussed in chapter 3, several newly manufactured Eastern-style manos were measured at a wholesaler’s home in San Luis Jilotepeque, Jalapa (see table 3.4). Interestingly, their thickness (i.e., square transverse cross-section) was the same as the width of their grinding surface. This Eastern-style characteristic was also observed in manos at the homes of other wholesalers in Jilotepeque. Although manufactured to be quadrilateral , they become thin and more rectangular in transverse...