RAD Catalog: Mesoamerica Rachael, Arnold, and Danny’s catalog for time travelers on their way to Mesoamerica. RAD: Time Traveler Catalog Maya Cacao This item was used as a common form of currency throughout most of the Mayan empire, years 200-900 AD. This was used by all layers of society, but was only carried in bulk by merchants and priests due to its high value. Cacao is going to be one of the most useful items on your journey to ancient Maya, for it was the closest thing Mayans had to currency and is great for emergencies. Cacao was used to make the drink of the gods and was considered to be a holy food, the basis of its value. Five beans could buy you a tomato, twenty could buy you a rabbit and 100 could get you a decent knife. RAD tip: Trade cacao with wealthier merchants and royalty for the best deals. Also, carry the cacao in animal skin sacks; do NOT travel with any types of modern day fabrics. $8.00 - €6.16 for 8 oz. Item code #BIRR_01 Date: 00/00/00 Mayan Jade Necklace This jade necklace can be worn to help blend in with the culture. Jade necklaces are a common form of jewelry worn to show wealth and as a general outfit completer. This necklace is great to wear to religious ceremonies as a sign of respect to the gods. If you find yourself out of cacao, this is a valuable item. RAD tip: They produced precious stones in the South, so the item will be most valuable in the North. This jade necklace is a replica made from real jade in the style of Mayan jewelry. This item is most common after 250 AD. $125 - €96.25 Item code: #BIRR_02 2 RAD: Time Traveler Catalog Salt If you plan on being in Maya for more than a day or two, you will need to have salt. It is an everyday necessity for everyone in Maya throughout the entirety of the civilization. It is estimated that the Early Classic Tikal’s population of 45,000 consumed 131.4 tons of salt annually. Even though salt is a commodity in Maya, it is hard to produce, making the price in ancient Maya much higher than the great deals here at RAD. Salt can be used for preservation of food, maintaining a healthy diet, medicinal purposes, and even spiritual rituals, making it a time traveler essential. $0.25 - €0.19 per oz. Item code: #BIRR_03 Mayan Women’s Skirt This skirt represents the everyday ensemble for the common Mayan woman. This skirt is made to be general enough to be worn at any time period throughout the Mayan civilization. This outfit consists of a knee length skirt (one size fits all) in either a plain white or yellow pattern print. There are ribbons included in the set as well; they can be intricately woven into hair as the Mayan women tended to do. The cloth is made out of tree bark and the yellow pattern is made by a combination of plant and animal hide dyes. This set doesn’t include shoes because shoes weren’t typically worn by commoners; they were mainly worn by the rich or merchants going on long journeys. If you are taking a child with you on your adventure, you need not buy them an outfit because children didn’t wear clothes. $50.00 - €38.50 Item code: White – BIRR_04 Yellow print – BIRR_05 3 RAD: Time Traveler Catalog Mayan Obsidian Knife This obsidian knife is a useful item to a time traveler because it can be used in self defense, catching dinner, and to keep as a souvenir at the end of your adventure. This item is most common after 250 AD, when obsidian became regularly produced. The edge of the knife is very sharp due to the cleavage of the stone and RAD’s extra polishing. Knives were fairly common in ancient Maya, but the carving of the god at the handle suggests a slightly wealthier client. RAD tip: just like jade, obsidian was produced in the South, so this knife will be most valuable in the North if used for trading. $75.00 - €57.75 Item code: #BIRR_06 Aztec Aztec Bow, Arrow and Quiver Suitable for hunting and protection, bows (tlahuitolli) were very common in Ancient Aztec culture in the late 1400’s and early 1500’s. Aztec hunting bows are 1.5 meters or 5 feet tall, made of wood from the Tepozan tree and strung with animal sinew. The common hunting arrow (tetotocamÄ«tl) had an obsidian, bone, flint, or chert point and was fletched with turkey feathers for the best flight quality. To store these fine crafted arrows an animal hide quiver (mÄ«comitl) was most common (can hold 20 arrows). Caution: the Aztecs were skilled with the bow; learn to shoot before going back in time. Bow: $249.99 - €192.56 Item code: #DING_01 10 Arrows (obsidian): $124.99 - €96.28 Quiver: $74.99 - €57.76 Item code: #DING_02 Item code: #DING_03 4 RAD: Time Traveler Catalog Aztec Cloak For protection from the elements and Ancient Aztec cloak (tilmatli) is necessary. Suitable for keeping you warm or covering you while it is raining, this triangular shaped cloak can do much more. When you turn it around and fold upwards the cloak becomes a quick and easy apron for carrying everyday items. Not suitable to wear alone if an adult, must have a loincloth also. This finely made, hand woven replica comes with different prints and embroidery too. The more elaborate the cloak, the higher status. RAD tip: be careful not to stand out as too powerful, that can get you killed. Hand wash and air dry only. No pattern or embroidery: $54.99 - €42.36 Item code: #DING_04 Simple pattern and embroidery: $74.99 - €57.76 Item code: #DING_05 Elaborate design (gold trim with tropical feathers): $139.99 - €107.83 Item code: #DING_06 Aztec Loincloths Suitable wear for those traveling through much of Mesoamerica in 1500 A.D. This loincloth can be worn in Aztec, Mayan and Inca society. Available in cotton, leather and maguey fiber, this loincloth is important to fitting in while visiting Ancient Aztec society. Coloring and pattern differ based on the social class you are trying to fit in with. Caution: if trying to not be noticed wear more basic colors. With the warmer climates in Mesoamerica, it can be worn alone most of the year or matched with a cloak to help keep warm. Warning: hand wash and air dry only. Basic loincloth: $64.99 - €50.06 Item code: #DING_07 5 RAD: Time Traveler Catalog Cacao Beans The most important thing to every traveler is currency. Because everything you need from Aztec society might not be available today, it is important to bring back items to trade. In 1500 A.D. Aztec society, the cacao bean was one of the most stable trade items and the closest thing to currency. Available in large quantities, the cacao bean will make you a respectable merchant. Caution: only nobility can afford to eat cacao in public. $28.93 - €22.50 per kg Item code: #DING_08 Aztec Jewelry Suitable for anyone traveling through Mesoamerica, jewelry was common in everyday Aztec society. Available in a large variety of gold, gems and bones; no two pieces are alike. With metal work limited, most jewelry was gems pushed in clay and stung together. Only the rich can afford copper and gold. This jewelry can be used for trade purposes also. Caution: a person shows their status based on what they could afford, try not to stand out too much. Shell necklace: $379.98 - €295.52 Item code: #DING_09 Gold ring: $449.98 €349.96 Item code: #DING_10 6 RAD: Time Traveler Catalog Bolas (Ayllos) Bolas or Ayllos was a common weapon used by Inca warriors and were used during war and hunting. It is a throwing weapon made of rope or chords and would be tied with stones or weights at the end of the rope. Bolas are thrown at a target’s legs and will wrap around them and then trip or immobilize your target. Bolas were used from around 1200 A.D. to 1532 A.D. by the Inca and would be a good form of protection or trade if you are to time travel to the Inca Empire. $31.00 - €24.11 Item code: #JOSE_01 Inca Tunic This is a sleeveless tunic normally worn by a middle-class man of the Inca Empire. This tunic would be worn during the 1500’s A.D. and was worn during cool weather. The Inca designed their clothing based on class and social position, such as this tunic, which would be worn by a common male citizen. Inca officials would be able to tell the difference between classes depending on the amount of ornamentation that the cloth has. You can wear the tunic or trade it with a common Inca man. Tunics would typically be worn with a loincloth and cloak. RAD tip: Tunic is hand wash and air dry only. $63.99 - €49.47 Item code: #JOSE_02 7 RAD: Time Traveler Catalog Llama Llamas were one of the most important animals in the Inca Empire. You could use llamas as a form of transportation for trade items and the wool of the animal can be used for clothes, rope, blankets, bags, and many other textiles. Llamas were also useful to the Inca even if they died. Llamas would have been tanned and used to make leather. Llama meat was also used as food and was eaten and dried. Llamas were very important to Inca society and could be used for many different purposes or trade. The price of llamas can vary depending on the quality of the llama. $200.00-300.00 - €155.55-233.32 Item code: #JOSE_03 Macana The macana is a club-like Inca weapon used in hand-to-hand combat during battle. The weapon had a wooden shaft with a stone or metal object usually in the shape of a star which would increase the macana’s effectiveness to maim an opponent. Gold or silver could also be used as a tip only if you could afford it, so only high ranking officers would wield one with gold or silver. The macana was one of the most commonly used weapons used by Inca warriors for war. Stone-end: $154.30 - €120.00 Item code: #JOSE_04 Metal-end: $193.20 - €150.26 Item code: #JOSE_05 8 RAD: Time Traveler Catalog Coca Leaves The Inca thought the Coca plant was sacred and magical and was used for both religious and medical purposes. Coca leaves were used by the Inca in various amounts depending on use and could be used to lessen pain and hunger caused during work. The leaves could also be used as an anesthetic during surgery and can also provide extra amounts of energy for work and running. The price of coca leaves is measured by weight. $1.08 - €0.84 Item code: #JOSE_06 RAD Tip Finally, before you embark on your adventure, now fully equipped, we here at RADwould like to remind you of the rules of time traveling. This will ensure the safety of you, the Americans, and the rest of the universe. 1. You must not allow any inhabitants of the time you are visiting to know or discover you are a time traveler. 2. If you mingle with the locals, you must dress the part of a visiting merchant or pilgrim. 3. You must not leave anything at your time destination. 4. Higher Technology you take with you must be brought back and must not be detectable, discovered or captured by the people you visit. 5. You may not help the locals with medicine, knowledge or technology – no matter what. Any interference may change history. 6. You must arrive in a costume that will prevent you from attracting attention. 7. As a time traveler you are expected to return from your visit with information. You may take modern technology with you but it must not be seen by anyone and must be brought back with you. Safe Travels! 9 RAD: Time Traveler Catalog Rachael Birri Mayan Bibliography "Ancient Maya Economy And Trade." About.com Latin American History. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 May 2013. I mainly used this site to discover more about Mayan cacao. I found the site to be very organized, informative, and helpful. "Ancient Maya Life." : Clothing of the Ancient Maya. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 May 2013. I used this site to learn more about Mayan clothing and it was one of the only sites that had a noncartoon drawing of ancient Mayan clothing. I liked this site a lot. "Guatemala News." Guatemala News. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 May 2013. I used this site to learn about a specific jade necklace archaeologists found, which I could then base my jade necklace off. This site was detailed and while it tended to focus more on the discovery and less on the history, it had a lot of helpful information. "Maya Trade and Economy." Maya Trade and Economy. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 May 2013. This site gave a lot of information about the Mayan salt trade. It was brief, to the point, and stayed on topic. "Obsidian in The Maya World." Obsidian in The Maya World. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 May 2013. This is one of my favorite sites to use. The information is all kept in a central location and there is a lot of detail. I also used this site to get high quality photos. I learned a lot about obsidian in the Mayan world through this site. 10 RAD: Time Traveler Catalog Daniel Dinges Aztec Bibliography "Ancient Aztec Clothing." Ancient Loincolth. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 May 2013. <http://www.aztechistory.com/ancient-aztec-clothing.html>. I used this site for pictures and descriptions aof the Aztec loincloth. "Aztec Cacao Beans." Aztec Food. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 May 2013. <http://www.aztechistory.com/aztec-food.html>. I used this site for images and descriptions of the cacao beans. "Aztec Jewelry." Aztec Jewelry. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 May 2013. <http://www.aztechistory.com/aztec-jewelry.html>. I used this site for information on the ancient Aztec jewelry. "Aztec Knotted and Netted Capes." Aztec Cloaks. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 May 2013. <http://www.mexicauprising.net/knottedandnettedcapes.pdf>. I used this site for information and pictures of Aztec cloaks and capes. Dunnel, Tony. "Weaponry of the Aztec Warriors." Aztec Weapons. N.p., 16 July 2009. Web. 16 May 2013. <http://suite101.com/article/aztec-weapons-weaponry-of-the-aztec-warriorsa162511>. I used this site for the pictures and discriptions of Aztec bows. Inc., Ruby Lane. "Antiques & Art Jewelry." Ruby Lane. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 May 2013. <http://www.rubylane.com/item/570452-rl1882/14K-Gold-Ring-Quetzalcoatl-Ancient>. I used this site for pictures of the jewelry. Arnold Jose Inca Bibliography "Bolas." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 05 Oct. 2013. Web. 16 May 2013. I used this site for a picture of Inca bolas. "Dried Coca Leaves." - Stock Image M750/0701. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 May 2013. I used this site for a picture of coca leaves. "Evolución Del Uso De Las Armas En El Perú." : Armas Incas. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 May 2013. I used this site for a picture of an Inca macana. 11 RAD: Time Traveler Catalog "Huáscar and Atahualpa: An Inca Civil War." About.com Latin American History. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2013. <http://latinamericanhistory.about.com/od/theconquestofperu/a/08incacivilwar.htm>. I used this for information on the Inca civil war. "Inca Civilization - Crystalinks." Inca Civilization - Crystalinks. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2013. <http://www.crystalinks.com/incan.html>. I used this site for information about the Inca civil war and Spanish conquest. "Inca Road." About.com Archaeology. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2013. <http://archaeology.about.com/od/iterms/qt/inca_road.htm>. I used this site for information on the Inca road system. "Huáscar and Atahualpa: An Inca Civil War." About.com Latin American History. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2013. <http://latinamericanhistory.about.com/od/theconquestofperu/a/08incacivilwar.htm>. I used this for information on the Inca civil war. "Reference." Reference. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 May 2013. I used this site for a picture of an Inca tunic. "The Incas." The Incas. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2013. <http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/incas/collier.htm>. I used this site for a lot of information, such as history, geography, and culture. "True Wild Life." Llama. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 May 2013. I used this site for a picture of a llama. Rachael Birri, Arnold Jose, Daniel Dinges Honors 9 May 16th, 2013 12