Beyond Maritime Symbolism

Toxic Marine Objects From Ritual Contexts at Tikal

Bibliographic Data

ID6033665
AuthorsDavid Maxwell (0000-0002-1701-5917, corresponding author)
Year2000
Volume11
Issue1
Pages91-98
Publication date2000-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAncient Mesoamerica (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0956-5361 • E-ISSN: 1469-1787
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0956536100111095
OpenAlexW2075023138
LanguageEN
Citations received8
References cited3

Tikal caches frequently contain a wide variety of marine materials such as shells, fish bones, and stingray spines (Coe 1990; Maxwell 1996). Beyond the possible use of stingray spines as bloodletters, however, little attention has been given to the role of these objects in ritual. Numerous caches contain the remains of toxic animals, including stingrays, porcupine fish, cone shells, and potentially toxic corals and sponges. Intriguingly, these objects are found in the greatest frequencies dating to the period from a.d. 562 to 695—known as the Tikal hiatus—beginning immediately following the defeat of Tikal by Caracol and ending with the ascension of Ruler A. It is proposed toxic marine objects were employed in rituals at Tikal and these rituals were most important during the hiatus period

Biology · Fish · Fishery · Hiatus · Ruler · Stingray · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Paleontology

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