Collections of archaeology of Gran Canaria
Inventory: 29.478
Object: Mill/mortar Gen
eric classification: Pulimented lithic industryMate
ria: BasaltoDim
ensions: Length, 37 cm.; width, 11.9 cm. C
ultural context: Prehistory of Gran CanariaDe
scription: Naviforme with remains of almagre. It has an oval cavity with U-depression and it is down at one end. Highlights include the wear and tear of the work surface and the remains of almagre.
Use/function: Working instrument for grinding. The principle by which the mill/mortar is governed is that of friction: the bottom part remains fixed and the upper part, which we do not keep in this case, mobile. The latter fricines, moving with some pressure, in the longitudinal direction of the cavity. Depending on this cavity we can deduce that the missing dynamic element, called a hand or mole, must have had a spherical or ovoid shape to move along the work surface. Moreover, the remains of almagre, red clay iron oxide, reveal a non-culinary use for this object. The use of this oxide, once ground and reduced to dust, is documented as paint in the materials made by the pre-Hispanic population of Gran Canaria through the manufactures of leather and ceramic containers, applying to them before their cooking.
Origin: Los Caserones, La Aldea de San Nicolás, Gran Canari
a.Context: Village of stone houses associated with a mound necropolis.
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