Function Follows Form, Part II: Experimental Archaeology with Formative Period Mesoamerican Greenstone Tagelus Shell Facsimiles as Textile Tools

Summary

This is an abstract from the "Cordage, Yarn, and Associated Paraphernalia" session, at the 88th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

Many Formative period Mesoamerican greenstone artifacts are readily identifiable as ornaments, as they have clear counterparts in both form and function in later cultures. Other such artifacts, however, have proven puzzling to scholars, who initially categorized them as “miscellaneous objects,” “objects of unknown use,” or “implements for mysterious unknown purposes.” Reanalysis and experimental archaeology suggest that certain greenstone artifacts were functional tools, likely used for spinning cordage, netting, twining, and weaving; these findings are bolstered by studies of use-wear on Maya jade artifacts that confirm their use as woodworking tools. Because certain greenstone artifacts illustrate rounded forms and hinges, they have been identified as ornamental effigies of bivalve seashells. In 2020, Andrew Turner revealed that some shell effigies are specifically identifiable, noting that Olmec jade “spoons” are readily comparable in form with the Atlantic wing oyster. Accordingly, formal analysis has identified elongated greenstone “clamshells” as effigies of *Tagelus plebeius*, or Atlantic stout razor clam shells; experimental archaeology, meanwhile, confirms that the serendipitously obround and roundrect forms of *Tagelus* make these shells effective as tools for twining, weaving, and netting. This presentation illustrates how experimental archaeology also serves to confirm that the greenstone Tagelus effigies themselves serve well as textile-making tools.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Cordage, Yarn, and Associated Paraphernalia   •
• Society for American Archaeology 88th Annual Meeting, Portland, OR (2023)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 35549.0