Manufacturing Technique

The whistle is made of clay so it can be “modeled, flattened, rolled, pinched, coiled, pressed, scored, shredded, pierced, stamped, extruded, cut, spun or cast in molds.” (Broad 1988) The clay is then fired in extreme temperatures and becomes hard as rock.

Materials

The whistle is made of a sandy clay. Rock fragments are also present and rocks may have been ground up to add to the clay or already been present in the soil used.

Designs/Symbolism

The effigy whistle is male which means that it may have a lower tone than a female effigy. (Broad 1988).

Size

Height: 9.8 cm     Width:  7.5 cm.

References
Broad, William J. “Complex Whistles Found to Play Key Roles in Inca and Mayan Life.”
          New York Times on the Web 29 March 1988. 18 April 2008
          http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html. 
Boja Teori: Purveyors of Global Rarities Home Page. Ed. Boja Teori. 18 April 2008.
          www.bojateori.com/artifacts.html. 
University of Richmond Museums: Lora Robins Gallery of Design from Nature. Ed.
          University of Richmond. 2007. April 18 2008
          http://museums.richmond.edu/Irgexhibitions/vessels.html.

Donated By Vivian B. Willardson .. Artifact research by Honors Students