![]() The difference between today’s fancy china and decorative vases from ancient Mesoamerica, though, is that ancient Mayans are no longer alive to verbally explain the specific purpose and use of each piece in their ceramics collection. Archaeologists are learning that similar cultural practices may have been implemented by the ancient Mayans in regard to their pottery. In today’s culture, one might reserve certain silverware for only the most important dinner guests or have some plates that are meant to be displayed instead of eaten off. When archaeologists find remnants of cups, bowls, and plates, it’s easy to jump to the conclusion that these items were used for eating and drinking. “Molinillo – Mexican Chocolate Whisk (Stirrer).” Gourmet Sleuth, Published by: Gourmet Sleuth, 16 Mar. “Large Molinillo.” National Museum of American History, 2018, americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_867633. “Archaeologists, Mayanists, and Hershey’s Collaborated to Reveal This Ancient Vessel’s Secrets.” Atlas Obscura, Atlas Obscura, 13 Sept. “Chocolate in Mesoamerica.” Ancient History Encyclopedia, Ancient History Encyclopedia, 24 Mar. To use to molinillo you were to put both hands palms facing in on the staff, and then proceed to use your hands to rotate it, thus frothing the chocolate.Ĭartwright, Mark. These instruments were meant to fir into a pot with the handling extending out of the top. The earliest version of the Molinillo had a ball or square end with a very long handle, over time the designs got more and more intricate with things like rings and movable parts, all to help with the stirring process. The Chocolate produced by the Aztecs was made from roasted beans that were grounded on a metate along with seeds and flavoring. The tool was invented by the Spanish Colonists in the 1700s to help assist with the frothing of chocolate, this came to be because they thought that pouring the chocolate back and forth wasn’t the best way to do it. This whisk was made by the Mexicans, and is still made today by hand for the same purpose that it served back then. The Molinillo is a whisk that is made out of wood, its main purpose is to stir hot drinks like hot chocolate, or champurrado. ![]() The leader being buried with these vessels speaks to the Mayan burial rituals, the dead were usually surrounded by many items like the Rio Azul vessels that contained food and drink that they were meant to enjoy in the after life. They specifically think this leader was buried with some sort of chocolate beverage concealed within the vessels. Mayanist David Stuart discovered the hieroglyphics on the outside of the vessel represented the work “kakaw” which is the Mayan word for cacao. They came to this conclusion by having the vessel analyzed. Eventually it was determined that what the vessel had contained was in fact cacao. Within the vessel there was some sort of dark residue left behind. The lid of the pot can be screwed on that way you can hold the pot by the arch handle and maintain what you are keeping inside without the risk of spilling what’s inside. These vessels are very rare, from the hieroglyphics depicted on the outside to the physical design. These vessels were discovered inside the tomb located in the Rio Azul region of Guatemala. The Rio Azul vessel is an important artifact that helps bring insight to the impact of cacao throughout the Mayan culture. It is very important to understand the importance of cacao not just socially, but its value in certain cultural groups. You don’t have em if you aren’t of a wealthy status. Drinking out of one of those tall beakers back then is equivalent to driving a very high end car like a Maserati or a Bugatti today. This was significant, because it proved that cacao was a way to show social status. It is said that they made the design of the vessels so unique so that those who were looking would be impressed, proving that they had the status and means to enjoy such a prized and rich drink. ![]() They used tall beakers, with an intricate design and text along the rim which described the intended use of the beaker. Similar to the Olmec tribe, the Mayans also drank their chocolate out of a certain instrument. The Olmec tribe was one of the first civilizations to use chocolate as a drink, dating all the way back to 1900 BCE, this chocolate beverage was drunk from a special round jar known as a tecomate. One of the earliest and most common uses of chocolate was for consumption, whether this was in the form or a drink or as a solid. This led to chocolate making it all the way to the Americas. The consumption of chocolate early one was primarily spread through trade. In Mesoamerica chocolate was one of the most desired and sought after products, it was consumed by the Olmec, Maya, and Aztec civilizations.
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