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Borhegyi, “Miniature” and small stone artifacts from Mesoamerica
However, before presenting this new material, we must adopt, for the
purpose of definition, a tentative scale by which these objects can be classified
as “miniature”, “small”, regular sized or tall. Since presently no such classificatory
system is in existence, I propose herewith the following classificatory
scheme, based on the height of these objects.
Name of Objects Classification by size in centimeters
Miniature
Small
Regular
Tall
Massive stone heads
H:
8-13
13-17
17-30
-
Stone palmas
H:
8-15
15-22
22-40
40-60
60-85
Stone hachas
H:
6-14
14-18
18-30
30-65
H:
2- 7
7-10
10-15
Stone yokes
L:
6-16
30-35
35-50
-
W:
6-16
30-35
35-40
Toad stone
H:
5-10
?
20-25
40-50
receptacles
L:
12-16
20-35
50-70
70-85
Horizontally tenoned
ballcourt stone
H:
12-20
20-35
65-75
markers
L:
16-30
45-55
1
m.-1.60 m.
Mushroomstones
H:
8-15
15-22
22-40
p
This arbitrary classificatory scheme is presented on a sliding scale and is
based on relegating the various objects to certain size categories. No uniform
system is presently feasible since for instance no massive stone heads are known
to exceed 30 cms. in height while some hachas and palmas are known to be as
tall as 65 or 85 cm., respectively. It may be important to note here, however,
that the above “clustering” type of classificatory scheme, based on the heights
(or in the case of stone yokes on the length) of the objects, was reached by the
author on the basis of studying, measuring, and recording approximately 160
massive stone heads, 200 stone palmas, 360 stone hachas, 300 stone yokes, and
