This mano is an example of one kind of tool that was used to grind foods such as seeds. It is 7 centimeters ( 2 ¾ inches) thick and 13 centimeters (5 inches) in diameter. It probably started out as a naturally round stone in a river, then became flattened on two faces as it was used. Wild grass seeds or maize could be crushed into a powder to make a meal that was easier to cook and eat.
To return to the Farming page, please click here.
All content copyright © Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, University of New Mexico. High-resolution versons of photographs may be ordered from the Maxwell Museum's photo archives. Please make note of the catalogue numbers. For more information please visit the photo archives web page
Page last revised on March 2, 2011. Please report problems to toh@unm.edu