THE ARTISAN AND THE TOOL: A TECHNOLOGICAL– FUNCTIONAL ANALYSI S OF TLAXCALLAN SPINDLE WHORLS

摘要

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.