Stone carving was a widespread craft among ancient Maya. In the words of Francisco Peon Ancona, chronicler of the city of Merida, “All of Yucatan is a large expanse of limestone, whose horizon blends into infinity”. Hence, it was only reasonable that quarrying and sculpting stone, a basic element of our landscape, would be highly developed here.
During pre-Hispanic times, a host of objects were made of carved stone. These included objects for household use (mortars and corn-milling stones); farming implements and body ornaments (necklaces, ear and nose ornaments). In addition, stone carving was used to record historic events and to represent deities in stellae and ceremonial vases, as well as to decorate religious buildings and palaces.
The importance of stone for the Maya is reflected in their language: “tun” the Maya word for stone is part of many other words referring to gods, places, and time count.
There is a currently increasing demand for stone carved architectural elements in Yucatan, as many new hotel buildings include features made of local limestone, such as columns, fountains and flooring. As a result, the use of limestone in houses has also become fashionable.
Source: Merida artesanal (Handcrafts in Merida)
Segunda edicion 2005.
City Council of Merida
