WITHIN THE COLLECTION

Spears of the Americas

Analyzes flint-, copper-, and bone-tipped thrusting spears and javelins across pre-Columbian cultures.

THE READING ROOM

Stories in this category Articles 1

Spears of the Americas 106

Classic Maya Chert-Headed Thrusting Spear / Archive essay

Chert and Pine: Classic Maya Thrusting Spears in Murals and Sacred Cenotes

Archaeological finds from northern Belize quarries and the waterlogged deposits of the Sacred Cenote at Chichén Itzá illuminate the design, hafting, and martial role of Classic Maya chert thrusting spears depicted across monumental murals and stelae.

Armory Archive 12 min read Oct 17, 2026

You’re all caught up. The old stories aren’t going anywhere.

A NOTE FROM THE ARCHIVE

Legendary objects deserve
a closer reading.

We study materials, makers and surviving evidence. Legends open the question; history guides the answer.

Our approach

Spears of the Americas

Stories in this category Articles 1

Chert and Pine: Classic Maya Thrusting Spears in Murals and Sacred Cenotes

Legendary objects deservea closer reading.

Legendary objects deserve
a closer reading.