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Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
Miniature Grinding Stone
Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
© Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami. All rights reserved.

Miniature Grinding Stone

Artist/Maker (Artist Unknown)
Dateca. 1000-1550 CE
Mediumbasalt
DimensionsOverall: 1 1/8 x 5 1/2 x 3 5/8 in. (2.9 x 14 x 9.2 cm)
ClassificationsTools and Equipment
Credit LineGift of Dr. and Mrs. Albert J. Kilberg
Terms
    Object number94.0019.14
    On View
    Not on view
    Collections
    DescriptionGrinding stones are ubiquitous artifacts in Mesoamerican archaeological contexts. They were used to grind corn to produce masa and tortillas, and for many other purposes. Essentially unchanged for almost 8,000 years, these objects are important indicators of economy, social structure, and gender relations when found on archaeological sites. This miniature grinding stone has a simple, rectangular shape carved from a flat, basalt-stone slab with ridges around the borders. Given its small size, it was likely used to grind pigments or other precious minerals to make paint and cosmetics.
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