Manufacture and Recycling of Glycymeris gigantea Bracelets in the Sayula Basin and the Bolaños Canyon

Abstract

Between 450 and 1120 AD, the populations living in the regions of
the Sayula Basin and the Bolaños Canyon used Glycymeris gigantea as material for the manufacture of bracelets, taking advantage of the natural characteristics of its valves. The archaeological material is quite fragmented when it is found and, interestingly, we observed that new work had been undertaken by the craftsmen in order to recycle broken shells. The observation of the traces of the fabrication process allows us to identify the working techniques and propose a reconstruction of the operational sequence used to make both the bracelets and the recycled products. Determining the common methods and original procedures will allow us to approach the pre-Hispanic craftsmen’s behavior. Furthermore, it needs to be stated that little research has been conducted to date on the recycling of shell ornaments, mainly due to a lack of evidence.