COCA LEAF EFFIGY-PESTLE, 500 AD, AyacuchoValley, Peru

Description

COCA LEAF EFFIGY-PESTLE,
500 AD, AyacuchoValley, Peru
Height:
3”
Length:
3”
Width:
2 ¾”
Weight:
1 lb 5.4 oz
This is an astonishing, small coca leaf effigy-pestle from the south central highlands of Peru about 14 miles northeast of the city of Ayachucho.
The coca leaf has a long, prehistoric history in Peru.
It is a stimulant and painkiller to this day.
The early Spanish chroniclers noted that coca was the most important plant offering during public rituals.
Not only was leaf chewed as a mild stimulant, but the dead often had coca leaves inserted into their mouths.
This remarkable pestle has two coca leaves engraved on its sides and two gourds in the front and rear.
Finally, some type of small animal graces the top area.
The form and style of this artifact, most likely dating to 500 AD was clearly used as a small pounding pestle.
The bottom shows evidence of long-term use.
It is suggested that this stone tool was important in crushing batches of coca leaves.
Traditionally small gourds were filled with an alkali, like lime to which the pulverized coca leaf was added.
It would then be mixed and snorted via small tubes inserted in the gourd.
This artifact shows the coca plant AND the gourds used for their ingestion.
A remarkable artifact!
Minor bottom abrasion/dents from use