The Maya cut jade using abrasive materials like garnet sand in conjunction with tools such as wooden saws and bow drills. Because metal was softer than jade, they relied on abrasion rather than sharp metal edges.
Here's a breakdown of the process:
- Abrasive Material: Garnet abrasive sand was crucial.
- Tools:
- Wooden Saws: The Maya used wooden saw blades. Garnet sand adhered to the edges of these blades.
- Bow Drills: They also used bow drills. Garnet abrasive was applied to the tips of these drills.
- The Cutting Process: The garnet sand, acting as an abrasive, did the actual cutting as the tools were moved across the jade. The abrasive particles essentially ground away at the jade's surface.
In essence, the Maya didn't cut jade in the way we think of cutting with a knife. Instead, they used a controlled grinding process with the help of abrasive materials.
