Scientific Evidence For The Use Of Gemstones In Ancient Maya Civilization
Already scientifically proven that several caves in the
southern Maya Lowlands have yielded bits of gemstones, both modified and
unmodified, which lend credence to the theory that these stones were used in
some ancient ceremony. The archaeological literature implies that gemstones
exist occasionally.
A survey of this material reveals that gemstones
appear with some regularity. According to ethnographic literature, gemstones used
in rituals, such as cure and divination, were reserved only for trained ritual
professionals. This article suggests that the situation was analogous
prehistorically based on similar ethno-historical accounts. It may allow
archaeologists to use gemstone artifacts to track ritual specialists'
activities. The analogy was made possible because the situation was analogous
prehistorically.
It was allegedly thought that the power of
gemstones was drawn from the power of the ground. As a result, gemstones discovered
in caves, which are likewise related to the earth, would have been regarded to
be particularly strong. Caves have been cited as a possible source of these
"power" artifacts by several different pieces of evidence.
As written in the article "Ancient Maya tooth
sealant glued gemstones in place—and may have prevented tooth decay:
"The ancient Maya believed that one might
establish a link to the divine via controlling one's breathing. Many people
have changed their teeth to clean their mouths by filing, notching, and
polishing them; some have even ornamented their teeth with diamonds. This is
done to improve their oral hygiene. A recent study suggests that the glue used
to put these diamonds in place may have had medicinal properties, which would
have helped defend against infections if they had happened. This would have
been beneficial if they had occurred.". To know the full detail of this
article only by reading it carefully.