MAYAN

BIFACIAL "SKINNING" BLADE

Ref #:  447

Type:  Bifacial "Skinning" Blade

Material:  Flint

Period:  Late Pre-Classic to Terminal Classic Period: 250 BC - 900 AD

Provenance:  Central America

Measurements:  17.5 cm x 5.3 cm x 7 mm thick

Comments:  Broad and thin blade with wide rounded distal end.  Reduced proximal end (last photo) shows this blade was hafted with the broad end out.  Likely a skinning or fleshing blade to de-flesh animal or human hides.  Ritualistic practice of wearing the skins of sacrificed victims would have given cause for the need of broad blades to deflesh such skins.  Possibly, this specimen was used for this purpose.