Spondylus Shell

3D Model

Spondylus crassisguama shell, without human intervention (Cotom, 2020). These were highly prized objects and were especially used to collect blood offered in self-sacrifice rituals. They were deposited in hidden offerings (caches), with sacred objects such as jade beads, shark teeth, or stingray spines. One name that describes this shell is Yohl ik’nal, “”the heart/center of the shell,”” as something divine or precious (according to comments by epigraphers David Stuart and William H. Mex).

IDAEH Cultural Property No. 1.2.144.0284

www.fundacionrutamaya.org

Special thanks to the staff of La Ruta Maya Foundation for their hard work on this project.

3D model made using Artec Space Spider