Other Artifacts

Other Artifacts

Synopsis of other ceramic and non-ceramic artifacts

The inventory of tools and artifacts at Muyil is small and the range of items recovered during excavation is small. A description of the artifacts forms Appendix 8. The following artifacts are of particular relevance to the history of Muyil.

Fish net sinkers and line weights of reworked (notched end) sherds were found in abundance (351) as well as a single stone weight. In the context of the lower levels of test pit 11, such weights are associated with Protoclassic and Early Classic ceramics, and the importance of fishing at Muyil was established early. Several worked shell artifacts, including tinklers, spoons, a scoop, and celts attest to the routine use of other marine resources. This suite of artifacts is typical of other coastal sites on the peninsula (see appendix 8.)

Reworked ceramics were employed as polishers and pendants, and spindle whorls were shaped, incised with intricate designs, and fired.

Stone artifacts include 24 metates, of which one was of imported basalt, and 23 were of limestone, typically rough oblong troughs without feet. Manos for the metates, and other hand-held stone artifacts were recovered.

The obsidian inventory of 39 pieces consists chiefly of 2-4-cm-long fragments of prismatic blades of black or veined smoky gray material. Most (36), based upon associated ceramics, are from Postclassic contexts. Several pieces of chert and pumice were recovered, as well as a single bead of jadeite.