In reviewing the evidence it would appear that these eccentrically shaped objects were not employed either as implements or as weapons, most of them being utterly unsuited in both size and shape for such purposes; moreover, none of them show any signs of wear or use. Neither were they used as ornaments, as many of them are too large and heavy, while the more roughly chipped specimens would be quite unadapted for such a purpose. Judging by the fact that 5 at least of the 11 separate finds wore associated with human burials, it seems probable that these objects were purely ceremonial in use; that they were most frequently, if not invariably, buried with the dead, either on top of the sepulchral mound, in close association with the corpse, or by the side of a memorial stela; and that they were manufactured and used solely for this purpose.
Mound No. 15
Fig. 51.—Small cup-shaped vase from Mound No. 15.
Mound No. 15 was situated on the south bank of the Rio Hondo, about 5 miles from its mouth, near the village of Santa Helena. This was a conical mound 25 feet in height and 120 feet in circumference at the base. Excavation was begun at the summit of the mound, which was somewhat flattened. For the first foot the soil consisted of light-brown earth, which contained nothing of interest.
Fig. 52.—Objects from Mound No. 15.