The Artisan and the Tool: a Technological–Functional Analysis of Tlaxcallan Spindle Whorls. (22nd April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ibarra, T. E.; López Corral, A.; Santacruz Cano, R.
• Is Part Of: Archaeometry. Volume 60:Number 6(2018)
• Page Start: 1221
• Page End: 1236
• Publication Date: 2018-04-22
• Subjects: Mesoamerica -- Tlaxcallan -- spindle whorl -- moment of inertia -- textile production -- craft production -- experimental archaeology; Archaeometry -- Periodicals; Archaeology -- Expertising -- Periodicals; 930.1
• DOI: 10.1111/arcm.12385
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-813X

Abstract

Abstract : This work analyses the technological–functional performance of 283 archaeological spindle whorls from the site of Tepeticpac, Tlaxcala, Mexico, a Late Postclassic (ad 1250/1300–1519) state‐level political entity from highland Mesoamerica. We evaluate spindle whorl morphology and their performance associated with different fibre processing and thread quality production. Statistical analysis, in conjunction with an experimental study, supports the existence of two large groups of archaeological whorls, which can be correlated with two spinning techniques. Also, we found an association between thread quality and artisan's skill. The methodology developed here is applicable and comparable to samples from Mesoamerican and worldwide archaeological sites.