Tools Fit for a Queen: Interdisciplinary Study of a Set of Ancient Maya Weaving Implements

Summary

This is an abstract from the "From Materials to Materiality: Analysis and Interpretation of Archaeological and Historical Artifacts Using Non-destructive and Micro/Nano-sampling Scientific Methods" session, at the 84th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

This paper reviews our interdisciplinary study examining a set of carved deer bones comprising what appears to be a weaving or sewing kit for an ancient Maya royal woman bearing the Sa’ emblem glyph associated with Naranjo. This set, acquired by a private collector and donated to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), includes small bone needles and longer tools with carved finials and incised texts; some are identified as puutz’ (weaving or sewing needle) for a royal woman. Although they form a unique set, their forms, images, and inscriptions share features with other carved bones-- including weaving tools-- from other ancient Maya and broader Mesoamerican contexts, and they have analogues with contemporary weaving implements. Our preliminary research combines art historical and epigraphic study with faunal analysis and analytical methods (such as portable X-Ray Fluorescence [pXRF], digital microscopy, InfraRed imaging, and Scanning Electron Microscopy [SEM] of molds from the surface of the bones). These techniques are used to identify materials and look for evidence of production methods (e.g. tool marks) and use wear. Comparing these objects to artifacts excavated by archaeologists can help in reconstructing crucial information about these and other pieces in museum collections without archaeological context.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• From Materials to Materiality: Analysis and Interpretation of Archaeological and Historical Artifacts Using Non-destructive and Micro/Nano-sampling Scientific Methods   •
• Society for American Archaeology 84th Annual Meeting, Albuquerque, NM (2019)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 25877