Ancient Maya Stone Polishers and Issues with the Terminology for the Artifacts Polished with These Tools

• Main Author: Landry, Rachael
• Other Authors: Chase, Arlen
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: University of Central Florida 2013
• Online Access: http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ETD/id/5967

The ancient Maya adorned themselves with ornamental objects. This study investigates a type of polishing tool used by the ancient Maya to manufacture certain types of ornaments. Five stone polishing tools used by the ancient Maya are presented and analyzed. Relevant artifact forms are examined to establish which types of artifacts were being polished with these tools. An extensive discussion of the archaeological record and artistic representations of miniature earflares and buttons, which were polished with many of these stone polishing tools, is also included because the terminology used to refer to these objects has varied throughout the academic literature and is in need of clarification. === M.A. === Masters === Anthropology === Sciences === Anthropology