Amano (Spanish forhand) is aground stone tool used with ametate to process or grind food by hand.[1]It is also known asmetlapil, a term derived fromNahuatl.[2]
Manos were used inprehistoric times to process wild seeds, nuts, and other food, generally used with greater frequency in theArchaic period, when people became more reliant upon local wild plant food for their diet. Later, Manos and metates were used to process cultivatedmaize.[3]
In its early use in theAmerican Southwest, the mano and metate were used to grind wild plants. The mano began as a one-handed tool. Once the maize cultivation became more prevalent, the mano became a larger, two-handed tool that more efficiently ground food against an evolved basin or trough metate.[4]
Besides food, Manos and metates were used to separate and pulverizeclay from earthen debris and stones. The resulting clay was used forpottery-making.[5]
A Mano, a smooth hand-held stone, is used against ametate, typically a large stone with a depression or bowl. The movement of the Mano against the metate consists of a circular, rocking or chopping grinding motion using one or both hands.[6]
Ancient Pueblo People often set up work rooms, called mealing rooms, that were established with sets of manos and metates for mass grinding efforts.[7]
^Sutteon, Mark Q.; Arkush, Brooke S. (2001).Archaeological Laboratory Methods: An Introduction.] Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company. p. 72-75.ISBN0-7872-8153-0.
Morris, Donald H. (Summer 1990). "Changes in Groundstone following the introduction of maize into the American Southwest."Journal of Anthropological Research.46(2).
