Supported projects

Rituals have always shaped the daily life of the ancient Maya, particularly during the Classic period (250-950 CE). The most emblematic material expression of these practices is undoubtedly ritual deposits, whose interpretation has long been limited to their spatial context or to the simple combination of the materials they contain. Yet, present in all sectors of Maya society, these deposits reveal the richness and complexity of Maya belief systems. To better understand the symbolism associated with these ceremonial gestures, this project focuses on lithic tools, which are frequently found in such contexts. Functional analysis of these artifacts will make it possible to reconstruct the gestures and activities that preceded their deposition, thereby shedding light on the ritual dimension of their use. Tools from the ritual deposits of Kaminaljuyú (Guatemala) will form the core of the study, offering a long-term perspective (1200 BCE-900 CE) and allowing the evolution of practices to be traced over time. Their analysis will combine well-established methods from European prehistoric archaeology – rarely applied in Mesoamerica – with multiple scales of observation and advanced microscopy techniques (stereoscopic, reflected-light optical, and scanning electron microscopy). By providing the first systematic and diachronic study of lithic ritual deposits, this project aims to redefine the notion of the ritual object in Maya culture and to offer new perspectives on the dynamic relationship between material practices and symbolic meaning.