In this project, we are researching how cooks in the ancient Maya area used prismatic obsidian blades, a common type of culinary equipment frequently recovered from archaeological excavations. We are seeking to
1) understand deposition on prismatic obsidian blades (formation processes from the paleoethnobotanical perspective) ,
2) observe transformations to prismatic obsidian blades from different sorts of plant taxa (formation processes and usewear from the lithic analyst perspective), and
3) describe the ways that (novices) attempt to use obsidian blades in culinary activities, to develop an understanding of sensory experiences and embodied practices.
Students 1) observe the placement of starch grains and phytoliths on new prismatic blades, 2) track the recovery rates of different plant residues in extractions, and 3) document usewear that results from different sorts of plant-based activities. Students then 4) try to identify residues extracted from ancient obsidian blades. Students also have the opportunity to document the experience of using prismatic blades in food preparation, in controlled experiments.
Undergraduate Students:
Eleanor Dushin (UTRA – Fall 2024)