Mano (stone) facts for kids
A mano (which means hand in Spanish) is a special stone tool. People used it to grind food and other things by hand. It always worked with another stone tool called a metate.
Sometimes, people also called it a metlapil, which is a word from the Nahuatl language.
Contents
How Manos Were Used in History
Manos were very important tools in ancient times. People used them to prepare wild seeds, nuts, and other foods. They were especially common during the Archaic period in North America. This was a time when people started to rely more on local plants for their meals.
Later, manos and metates became essential for grinding maize, also known as corn. Corn became a major food source for many ancient cultures.
Manos in the American Southwest
In the American Southwest, early manos and metates helped grind wild plants. At first, people used smaller manos that fit in one hand.
As corn farming grew, manos became larger. People started using two-handed manos. These bigger tools worked better with special basin or trough-shaped metates. This made grinding corn much faster and easier.
Beyond Food: Other Uses
Manos and metates weren't just for food. People also used them to prepare clay. They would grind clay to remove dirt and small stones. This clean clay was then used to make pottery, like pots and bowls.
The Grinding Process
A mano is a smooth stone that you hold in your hand. You use it against a metate, which is usually a larger stone with a dip or a bowl shape.
To grind, you move the mano back and forth or in a circular motion on the metate. You can use one or both hands. This rubbing action crushes the food or other materials between the two stones.
Grinding Rooms of Ancient Pueblo People
The Ancient Pueblo People were skilled at using these tools. They often had special work rooms called "mealing rooms." These rooms were set up with many sets of manos and metates. This allowed many people to grind food at the same time, making it a big group effort.
