A Needle Is Not Always a Needle: Reevaluating Gender-Related Objects from Classic Maya Burials

Summary

This is an abstract from the "SAA 2021: General Sessions" session, at the 86th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

Weaving-related objects, mainly spindle whorls and needles, found in prehispanic Maya burials are usually interpreted as an indication of either the identity of the deceased or the activities carried out in life. Such a symbolic approach is valuable in tracking the construction of identity in funerary contexts. However, it can be misleading in some contexts. For instance, the analysis of the meaning of bone needles and spindle whorls found in burials from Classic period (ca. AD 400–700) Palenque, Mexico, demonstrated that relational approaches are necessary to comprehend the nature of funerary objects. This paper proposes to apply the Harris Matrix and the principles of Archaeothanatology to understand the taphonomic processes affecting burials and ancient particular cultural practices at Palenque. I argue that this approach is effective to contextualize the said objects and track the physical relationship among elements within burials. My findings show that weaving-related objects were not buried to symbolize social identity. I conclude that the bone needles were used as pins to close either funerary capes or wrapping bundles. Spindle whorls, instead, were used to carry out specific activities involving secondary rituals.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 86th Annual Meeting, Online (2021)   •
• SAA 2021: General Sessions

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 33476