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Caves and Ancient Maya Ritual Use of Jute

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Christina T. Halperin ,
Sergio Garza ,
Keith M. Prufer  and
James E. Bradya
Christina T. Halperin
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, University of California. Riverside, CA 92521
Sergio Garza
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, California State University, Los Angeles, CA 90032
Keith M. Prufer
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849
James E. Bradya
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, California State University, Los Angeles, CA 90032
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Abstract

A number of previous authors have suggested, based on limited data, that Pachychilus spp., freshwater gastropods often called jute, may have played a role in ancient Maya ritual. Data collected by the authors demonstrate that jute shells consistently appear as part of faunal assemblages in ceremonial caves across the southern Maya Lowlands. At surface sites, jute are often associated with ceremonial architecture, particularly ballcourts. Previous ethnographic accounts are reviewed for clues to ancient Maya jute use. New ethnographic data suggest a role not previously considered by archaeologists. A Q‘eqchi’ Maya informant states that shells are gathered up after meals and deposited in caves as an offering in thanks to “Mother Earth” (Madre Tierra) who provided the mollusks. This practice suggests that the ancient shells may represent a secondary deposition rather than reflecting consumption occurring in the cave. The presence of jute shells may document ancient religious beliefs and ritual activities surrounding an important subsistence resource.

Un número de autores anteriores han sugerido, basado en datos limitados, que Pachychilus spp., gastrópodos de agua dulce frecuentemente llamado jute, quizá haya asumido ciertas funciones en ritual Maya antiguo. Datos colectados por los autores demuestra que las conchas de jute consistentemente aparecen como parte de ensamblados faunales en cuevas ceremoniales atravez de las tierras bajas Maya del sur. En sitios superficiales, jute son frecuentemente asociados con arquitectura ceremonial, particularmente centros de juego de pelota. Declaraciones etnográficas anteriores son examinadas por pistas que informen acerca del antiguo uso Maya del jute. Nuevos datos etnográficos sugieren un papel que no había sido considerado por los arqueólogos. Un informante Maya Q’eqchi’ declara que las conchas son juntadas después de las comidas y depositadas en cuevas como ofrendas dando gracias a la “Madre Tierra” quien provee estos moluscos. Esto sugiere que las conchas antiguas tal vez representen una redeposición en lugar de reflejar un consumo ocurrido en la cueva. La presencia de conchas de jute quizá esté documentando en creencias religiosas antiguas y actividades rituales que envuelven un importante recurso de subsistencia.

Type
Reports
Information
Latin American Antiquity , Volume 14 , Issue 2 , June 2003 , pp. 207 - 219
Copyright
Copyright © 2003 by the Society for American Archaeology.

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