PCX001 - PRE-COLUMBIAN TURTLE EFFIGY MILL GRINDING STONE WITH ORIGINAL RED CINNABAR PIGMENT FROM CENTRAL AMERICA

Product Description

12ITEM # 

PCX001

ID

Grinding Stone

FOUND

Atlantic Watershed - Central America

AGE

Period IV:  300 B.C. - 500 A.D.

SIZE

7.25" long x 6" wide

CONDITION

INTACT AND COMPLETE. NO REPAIR OR 
RESTORATION.  HEAVY ORIGINAL RED
PIGMENT STILL IN MICROSCOPIC CREVICES.

NOTE

BASED ON THE HEAVY PIGMENT, THIS MIGHT
HAVE BEEN A CEREMONIAL RITUAL PIGMENT
GRINDER FOR BODY OR BUILDING PAINT.

INCLUDES STAND - Actual Item - One Only

Comes with a certificate of authenticity / information sheet

This is an original condition and intact RARE turtle effigy grinding mill stone from the Greater Nicoya Pre-Columbian Culture.  This archaeological culture prevailed in the area of Latin America comprising the far southwestern coastal region of Honduras, the far northwestern Pacific coastal region of Costa Rica and the Pacific side of coastal Nicaragua.  This Indian culture thrived for many centuries before the first Spanish explorers made contact around 1500 A.D..  The people had no written language but spoke Nahuatl and had continual contact with the Aztec (Mexica) Indians of Central Mexico. 

Usually, the actual mill basins of this culture are decorative with basic cylinder form rubbing stones.  This is the first instance where we have seen a decorative rubbing stone and also, the first we have seen with any ORIGINAL PIGMENT STILL INTACT!!!.  This large milling grinding stone is made of volcanic stone and its decorative form of being a turtle emerging from its shell is both functional and aesthetic.  When gripped,  your thumb and fingers fit into the anatomical sides of the shell to create a secure grip.  Why it has been covered in a thick original cinnabar pigment is a mystery but it is likely an indication that it was NOT used in every day life but was reserved for ceremonial food preparations or preparation of foods for the gods, the red representing blood.  100% ORIGINAL, INTACT AND WITHOUT ANY REPAIR OR RESTORATION.  Includes our written unconditional lifetime certificate of GUARANTEED AUTHENTICITY.

In Pre-Columbian mythology of Central America, Earth itself is symbolized by a gargantuan turtle which rose from primordial waters at the very beginning of time.

The Greater Nicoya Pre-Columbian Culture is an archaeological culture that prevailed in the area of Latin America comprising the far southwestern coastal region of Honduras, the far northwestern Pacific coastal region of Costa Rica and the Pacific side of coastal Nicaragua.  This indigenous Indian culture thrived for many centuries before the first Spanish explorers made contact around 1500 A.D..  The people had no written language but spoke Nahuatl and had continual contact with the Aztec (Mexica) Indians of Central Mexico.  The Gran Nicoya culture included many beautiful designs incorporating a variety of different mammals, reptiles and amphibians in effigy pieces.  Their pottery is also known for complex glyph-like painted decorations.  In the first 500 to 600 years A.D., resources became low as populations grew and warfare become increasingly evident.   Tribes in this region practiced head-hunting and victim sacrifice in their warfare.