A stone metate, used to grind corn into dough in the late Classic period, is similar to those used to prepare corn tortillas in Mexico today.
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They learned that corn could be stored longer if it was ground, which they accomplished with a metate and mano ( mortar-and-pestlelike rocks ).
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A large metate ( grinding stone ) whose border was adorned by tiny stone heads has also been interpreted as evidence for violence or human sacrifice in the past.
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Also found at this site were metate and mano ( stone ) fragments, atlatl points as well as areas of lapidary work with pebbles and chipped stone manufacturing.
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Some examples are known as effigy-headed metate, which feature an animal s head at one end, with the metate itself making up the body of the creature.
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Some examples are known as effigy-headed metate, which feature an animal s head at one end, with the metate itself making up the body of the creature.
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None of these metates had manos ( grinding stones ), suggesting that the carved metate as a mortuary object had a deeper symbolic meaning than just the processing of foodstuffs.
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Also found a group of Batan ( Stone ), basaltic utensils for grinding corn on a metate, carefully arranged at a side of the ballgame court and visible today.
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Given their role as a burial good, it seems that metate held a strong meaning for human life, death and the hope for a rebirth or transformation of some kind.
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They borrowed a " metate " ( grinding stone ) from the patio to grace the table and a potted palm from the front porch to soften the edge of the fireplace.
