In this study, we present evidence for the use of slingstones and other projectile stones among the ancient Maya peoples of the Usumacinta River region. Rounded stones are frequently found across Maya archaeological sites and are given a range of interpretations, including objects for flintknapping, cooking, ritual, divination, and less often as weapons. Here we provide new evidence for the identification of rounded stones as weapons based on their morphology as well as their context of recovery. We employ data from the sites of Macabilero, Guatemala, and Budsilha, Mexico, which strongly suggest rounded stones at these sites were manufactured to be used as weapons. These findings have implications for how we understand warfare and hunting in ancient Mesoamerica and inform our interpretation of how the Maya prepared for such activities. As a class of weapon potentially accessible to most members of Maya society, the results presented here show the importance of more inclusive perspectives on Maya warfare and the necessity of contextualizing artifact analysis within the occupation history of the broader site and region.

在这项研究中，我们提供了在乌苏马辛塔河地区的古代玛雅人中使用弹弓和其他弹石的证据。圆形石头经常在玛雅考古遗址中发现，并被赋予了一系列解释，包括用于打火、烹饪、仪式、占卜的物品，以及较少用作武器的物品。在这里，我们提供了新的证据，用于根据圆形宝石的形态及其回收情况将其识别为武器。我们使用来自危地马拉 Macabilero 和墨西哥 Budsilha 地点的数据，这些数据强烈表明这些地点的圆形石头被制造为用作武器。这些发现对我们如何理解古代中美洲的战争和狩猎具有重要意义，并为我们解释玛雅人如何为此类活动做好准备提供了依据。