• Dahlia Shehata - Florian Leitmeir - Kamila Wysłucha - Stefan Hagel (Editors)

Journal of Music Archaeology

Volume 2, 2024

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The Journal of Music Archaeology (JMA) is the first double-blind-reviewed open access periodical in the field of music archaeology, continuing the spirit of the series Studien zur Musikarchäologie, formerly published by the DAI. It addresses questions concerning the archaeology of sound and rhythmical behaviour of past cultures all over the globe, including the study and reconstruction of certain or possible sound tools, the investigation of soundscapes, especially where intentionally chosen or erected, as well as related historical, anthropological and ethnological research based on iconographies, literatures, and comparative studies reflecting the wide range of approaches and methodologies that has characterised music archaeology from its beginnings.

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Verlag der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften
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Journal of Music Archaeology

ISSN 2960-4184
Online Edition

ISBN 978-3-7001-9730-0
Online Edition



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Verlag der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften
Austrian Academy of Sciences Press
A-1011 Wien, Dr. Ignaz Seipel-Platz 2,
Tel. +43-1-515 81/DW 3420, Fax +43-1-515 81/DW 3400
https://verlag.oeaw.ac.at, e-mail: bestellung.verlag@oeaw.ac.at
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The Sound of Thunder: A Turtle Shell Idiophone in Classic Maya Culture

    Monika Ciura

Journal of Music Archaeology, Volume 2, 2024, pp. 191-214, 2024/12/18

Volume 2, 2024

doi: 10.1553/0x003fc102


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doi:10.1553/0x003fc102

Abstract

The turtle shell idiophone is an instrument known from iconographical and archaeological sources from the Preclassic through the Classic Period of the Maya culture (250 BCE – 900 CE). It appears in historical scenes depicting ritual sacrifices, processions, and dancing, and is typically included in a percussion band along with gourd rattles and a tall, cylindrical drum. The mythological contexts of the turtle shell idiophone appearance provide more information on the possible symbolic sig-nificance of its sound. The author analyzes all known depictions of this idiophone and contextual-izes them with archaeological findings, providing comprehensive information about the way this musical instrument looked and contexts of its use. Ultimately, the interpretation of the turtle shell’s sound as symbolically connected to the sound of thunder is verified.

Keywords: Ancient Maya culture – Ancient Maya music – Ancient Maya iconography – Turtle shell idiophone