The Implements of the Blade House: The Function and Symbolic Significance of Laurel-leaf Bifaces from Caves in Central Belize

Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review

Standard

The Implements of the Blade House : The Function and Symbolic Significance of Laurel-leaf Bifaces from Caves in Central Belize. / Stemp, W. James; Awe, Jaime J.; Helmke, Christophe.

In: Lithic Technology, 2024.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review

Harvard

Stemp, WJ, Awe, JJ & Helmke, C 2024, 'The Implements of the Blade House: The Function and Symbolic Significance of Laurel-leaf Bifaces from Caves in Central Belize', Lithic Technology. https://doi.org/10.1080/01977261.2024.2308416

APA

Stemp, W. J., Awe, J. J., & Helmke, C. (2024). The Implements of the Blade House: The Function and Symbolic Significance of Laurel-leaf Bifaces from Caves in Central Belize. Lithic Technology. https://doi.org/10.1080/01977261.2024.2308416

Vancouver

Stemp WJ, Awe JJ, Helmke C. The Implements of the Blade House: The Function and Symbolic Significance of Laurel-leaf Bifaces from Caves in Central Belize. Lithic Technology. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1080/01977261.2024.2308416

Author

Stemp, W. James ; Awe, Jaime J. ; Helmke, Christophe. / The Implements of the Blade House : The Function and Symbolic Significance of Laurel-leaf Bifaces from Caves in Central Belize. In: Lithic Technology. 2024.

Bibtex

@article{79a4cbf033784f31b505dc32282356df,
title = "The Implements of the Blade House: The Function and Symbolic Significance of Laurel-leaf Bifaces from Caves in Central Belize",
abstract = "The ancient Maya produced chipped chert and obsidian tools for inclusion in religious rituals as both symbolic and/or functional implements. In this paper, we discuss one particular form of these special chipped stone tools – the large laurel-leaf biface. Laurel-leaf bifaces recovered from the cave sites of Actun Chapat, Actun Tunichil Mucnal, Actun Yaxteel Ahau, and Je{\textquoteright}reftheel in central Belize are analyzed in terms of context, lithic raw material, production techniques, symbolism, and use-wear in order to better understand their role(s) as ceremonially significant items. When combined with ethnohistoric and ethnographic information, these analyses allow us to see laurel-leaf bifaces as both functional implements for and powerful symbols of sacrifice within ancient Maya ideology and worldview.",
author = "Stemp, {W. James} and Awe, {Jaime J.} and Christophe Helmke",
year = "2024",
doi = "10.1080/01977261.2024.2308416",
language = "English",
journal = "Lithic Technology",
issn = "0197-7261",
publisher = "Maney Publishing",

}

RIS

TY - JOUR

T1 - The Implements of the Blade House

T2 - The Function and Symbolic Significance of Laurel-leaf Bifaces from Caves in Central Belize

AU - Stemp, W. James

AU - Awe, Jaime J.

AU - Helmke, Christophe

PY - 2024

Y1 - 2024

N2 - The ancient Maya produced chipped chert and obsidian tools for inclusion in religious rituals as both symbolic and/or functional implements. In this paper, we discuss one particular form of these special chipped stone tools – the large laurel-leaf biface. Laurel-leaf bifaces recovered from the cave sites of Actun Chapat, Actun Tunichil Mucnal, Actun Yaxteel Ahau, and Je’reftheel in central Belize are analyzed in terms of context, lithic raw material, production techniques, symbolism, and use-wear in order to better understand their role(s) as ceremonially significant items. When combined with ethnohistoric and ethnographic information, these analyses allow us to see laurel-leaf bifaces as both functional implements for and powerful symbols of sacrifice within ancient Maya ideology and worldview.

AB - The ancient Maya produced chipped chert and obsidian tools for inclusion in religious rituals as both symbolic and/or functional implements. In this paper, we discuss one particular form of these special chipped stone tools – the large laurel-leaf biface. Laurel-leaf bifaces recovered from the cave sites of Actun Chapat, Actun Tunichil Mucnal, Actun Yaxteel Ahau, and Je’reftheel in central Belize are analyzed in terms of context, lithic raw material, production techniques, symbolism, and use-wear in order to better understand their role(s) as ceremonially significant items. When combined with ethnohistoric and ethnographic information, these analyses allow us to see laurel-leaf bifaces as both functional implements for and powerful symbols of sacrifice within ancient Maya ideology and worldview.

U2 - 10.1080/01977261.2024.2308416

DO - 10.1080/01977261.2024.2308416

M3 - Journal article

JO - Lithic Technology

JF - Lithic Technology

SN - 0197-7261

ER -

ID: 381070076