An Ethnoarchaeological Perspective on Ground Stone Production at the Santiago Quarry in the Casas Grandes Region of Chihuahua, Mexico

A ground stone quarry, the first of its kind discovered in the Casas Grandes region of northern Mexico, reveals critical insights into the production of finely crafted manos and metates. The study, conducted during a 2013 survey project, identified the Santiago Quarry as a site where these tools were manufactured using specialized stone tools. By analyzing the morphology of the site and the toolkit of ancient 'metateros' (metate makers), researchers provide a detailed account of prehistoric ground stone production techniques. Ethnoarchaeological observations of modern metates further enrich the interpretation, offering a bridge between past practices and contemporary understanding. This discovery sheds light on the technological sophistication and cultural significance of ground stone tool production in the region.

Searcy, M. T., & Pitezel, T. (2017). AN ETHNOARCHAEOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE ON GROUND STONE PRODUCTION AT THE SANTIAGO QUARRY IN THE CASAS GRANDES REGION OF CHIHUAHUA, MEXICO. Latin American Antiquity, 29(1), 169–184. https://doi.org/10.1017/laq.2017.54