[Aztlan] Bows and Arrows (Maya)

[Clifford T. Brown]

The cacti are Cereus yucatanensis (k'ulub in Yucatec). 

I believe the story of the Aztec mercenaries bringing the bow and arrow to
Mayapan is also told in the Relaciones geograficas.

Clifford T. Brown, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Department of Anthropology

Florida Atlantic University

777 Glades Road

Boca Raton, Florida 33431

(561) 297-3232

ctbrown at fau.edu

http://www.fau.edu/~ctbrown


-----Original Message-----
From: aztlan-bounces at lists.famsi.org [mailto:aztlan-bounces at lists.famsi.org]
On Behalf Of David Hixson
Sent: Friday, April 20, 2007 8:49 AM
To: aztlan at lists.famsi.org
Subject: Re: [Aztlan] Bows and Arrows (Maya)

FORWARDED NOTE FROM BRADLEY RUSSELL
<bradley_russell at hotmail.com>

(Brad's original email seems to have "gotten lost"
sorry if this double-posts)

---------------------------------------------

The first I know of the bow and arrow is in the Aztec
codices talking about the migration of Nauhautl
speakers into central Mexico.  I think it may have
come in with them at that point although the
archaeology would say better.

In the Maya area the Bow and arrow is also very late. 
At Mayapan, it was brought in by Mexicanized
mercenaries that were employeed by some of the site's
later leaders (based on Landa's descriptions).  They
came in with other Central Mexican gear like cotton
armor.

According to Landa this was a new technology that gave
the mercenaries great power for a while.  After some
time, the people that were being bullied by the mercs
learned the technology and evened the playing field. 
Landa says that at this time the people lost their
fear of the mercs.

We find lots of arrow points in later strata, dating
after 1250ish.  Most are obsidian and made from
prismatic blades.  There are a few chalcedony examples
from our work as well.  Prior to that what we find are
large lance points in the area.

There are many large cacti around Mayapan today that
are lacking in the surrounding area.  It has been
suggested that these were intentionally planted in the
site to serve as a source of arrow shafts.  When they
die and dry out, each arm contains a large number of
very straight and durable shafts.

Hope that helps.

Brad


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