by Mary Harrsch © 2025
In my first article about the Colima people of west Mexico,
I focused on their artwork depicting fattened dogs and the importance of dogs for
both dietary and ritual purposes. In addition to their dog sculptures, the ancient
Colima between 300 BCE and 500 CE are also known for their distinctive ceramic
figurines depicting illness, physical deformities, and medical conditions.
ClaudeAI elaborates: “The Colima figurines are notable for their realistic portrayals of various physical conditions, including:
- Obesity
and other body types
- Hunchbacks
and spinal deformities
- Dwarfism
- Various
skin conditions
- Facial
deformities and cleft palates
- Individuals
with missing limbs
Archaeologists have found significant concentrations of
these figurines in burial sites and settlements throughout the Colima region,
particularly in the shaft tomb tradition characteristic of western Mexican
cultures. These figurines are often referred to as "medical models"
or "diagnostic figurines" because of their apparent anatomical
accuracy.
The purpose of these figurines remains somewhat debated
among scholars. Some interpretations suggest they may have had ritual
significance related to healing practices, while others propose they might
represent ancestors or important community members who lived with these
conditions. They might also have served educational purposes for healers within
these communities.
The Colima figurines represent one of the most detailed
ancient artistic traditions depicting human pathology and physical diversity in
pre-Columbian Mesoamerica.”
However, despite an apparent knowledge of human pathology,
archaeologists have been unable to identify with certainty stone tools that may
have served medical purposes in a shaman or healer’s toolkit.
ClaudeAI said: “Archaeological evidence for specialized
medical instruments in Colima settlements is limited compared to the abundant
figurines depicting medical conditions. However, some artifacts have been
discovered that might have had medical applications:
- Obsidian
blades and cutting tools that could have been used for procedures like
bloodletting, minor surgeries, or scarification
- Bone
needles and awls that may have served for wound suturing or draining
abscesses
- Ceramic
vessels that potentially contained medicinal preparations
- Stone
grinding tools that could have been used to prepare herbal remedies and
medicines
The interpretation of these items as specifically medical is
often contextual rather than definitive, as many tools served multiple purposes
in ancient societies. Unlike some other Mesoamerican cultures where specialized
medical instruments have been more clearly identified, the Colima evidence is
more suggestive than conclusive.
What's particularly interesting is the contrast between the
detailed and anatomically accurate figurines depicting illness and the relative
scarcity of specialized medical implements. This suggests the Colima people had
sophisticated observational knowledge of medical conditions, even if their
treatment approaches may have relied more on botanical medicines, spiritual
practices, or relatively simple tools that were also used for other purposes.”
I thought perhaps this may be the result of a lack of metalworking. ChatGPT agreed to some extent:
“Yes, the lack of metalworking in the shaft tomb cultures of West Mexico (such
as those of Colima, Nayarit, and Jalisco, c. 300 BCE–400 CE) would have
significantly influenced the development of medical instruments. However, it
may not have completely prevented medical procedures, as stone and obsidian
tools could have served as effective substitutes [for some procedures.}”
Impact of No Metalworking on Medical Practices
- Surgical
Limitations
- Cultures
with metal tools (such as those in Mesoamerica during the Postclassic
period or Bronze Age Eurasia) could create finer, more durable, and
reusable medical instruments.
- The
absence of metal scalpels, forceps, and needles in West Mexican shaft
tomb cultures likely meant a reliance on sharpened obsidian, stone, or
bone tools, which, while extremely sharp, are also brittle and
require more careful handling.
- Alternative
Cutting Tools
- Obsidian
blades: Known for their exceptional sharpness—finer than modern
surgical steel—obsidian could have been used for lancing abscesses,
bloodletting, or even rudimentary surgeries like trepanation (as seen
in other Mesoamerican cultures).
- Stone
knives and scrapers: These could have been used in wound care,
amputation, or other medical treatments but would lack the precision of
metal scalpels.
- Evidence
from Colima Figurines
- Colima
figurines display realistic depictions of human pathology,
including hunchbacks, tumors, facial deformities, and possible
representations of diseases like polio or clubfoot.
- This
suggests a high level of observational knowledge of human health and
disease, but whether this knowledge translated into medical
interventions remains unclear.
- If
surgery or medical treatment was practiced, the tools would have been
perishable (wood, bone) or stone-based, which are harder to identify
archaeologically.
- Ethnographic
Comparisons
- Later
Mesoamerican cultures, like the Aztecs and Maya, had sophisticated
medical knowledge using herbal remedies and obsidian scalpels for
bloodletting and minor surgical procedures.
- Some
indigenous traditions survived into the colonial period, documenting
practices such as cauterization and wound stitching using maguey
thorns instead of metal needles—techniques that may have parallels in
earlier shaft tomb cultures.
Conclusion
The lack of metalworking would have limited, but not
entirely prevented, the development of medical instruments in shaft tomb
cultures. The use of obsidian and stone tools could have supported
certain medical interventions, but without metal, more delicate procedures
(e.g., suturing, internal surgery) would have been difficult. The detailed
pathological observations in Colima figurines suggest an awareness of illness
and deformity, but without direct evidence of surgical tools, their medical
interventions likely relied more on external treatments and possibly ritual
healing.”
ChatGPT offered comparison of Colima possible medical
practices with those of other non-metalworking cultures:
“Comparison of Colima (Shaft Tomb Culture) with Other Non-Metalworking
Cultures in Medical Instrument Development
Several cultures around the world developed medical
practices without access to metal tools, relying on stone, bone, wood, and
obsidian. Below is a comparison between the Colima shaft tomb culture
and other non-metalworking societies with evidence of medical interventions.
1. Colima (West Mexico Shaft Tomb Culture, c. 300 BCE–400
CE)
Medical Evidence
- Colima
figurines depict a variety of human ailments, including hunchbacks,
missing limbs, facial deformities, and possibly infectious diseases.
- No
definitive evidence of surgical tools, though obsidian and stone
knives were common in West Mexico.
- Possible
use of herbal remedies, inferred from broader Mesoamerican
traditions (e.g., the later Aztecs’ extensive herbal pharmacopoeia).
- No
confirmed trepanation cases, unlike other pre-Columbian cultures.
Challenges Due to Lack of Metal
- Obsidian
blades were available but brittle, limiting complex procedures.
- No
metal needles or clamps meant that wound stitching, cauterization, and
internal surgery were difficult or impossible.
2. Chinchorro Culture (Chile & Peru, c. 7000–1500
BCE)
Medical Evidence
- Practiced
advanced mummification techniques thousands of years before Egypt.
- Used stone
tools to remove organs and preserve the body, implying knowledge of
anatomy.
- Some evidence
of cranial modification but no confirmed surgery.
Comparison with Colima
- More
advanced mortuary practices, suggesting detailed anatomical knowledge.
- Both
cultures showed awareness of human pathology, but Chinchorro’s
advanced mummification suggests greater hands-on intervention.
- Like
Colima, no metal tools, but flint and stone were used for body
modifications.
3. Paracas Culture (Peru, c. 800 BCE–100 CE)
Medical Evidence
- Trepanation
(cranial surgery): Many Paracas skulls show evidence of drilling, with
high survival rates, indicating post-surgical care.
- Used obsidian
and sharp stone tools for cutting.
- Textiles
were possibly used as bandages or for wound dressing.
Comparison with Colima
- Paracas
practiced surgery, while Colima did not (as far as we know).
- Both
had knowledge of human pathology, but Paracas had direct surgical
interventions.
- Obsidian
and stone tools were used for medical purposes in both cultures, but Paracas
used them for skull surgery, a practice absent in West Mexico.
4. Indigenous Australian Cultures (50,000 BCE–present,
pre-metal age before European contact)
Medical Evidence
- Use
of sharp stone tools for minor surgeries, such as lancing boils and
circumcision.
- Bone
and shell tools for dental work.
- Cauterization
and bloodletting were common healing practices.
Comparison with Colima
- Both
cultures relied on non-metal tools, but Australian cultures used burning
and cauterization, while there is no evidence Colima did.
- Australian
cultures actively performed minor surgical procedures, whereas Colima’s
medical interventions remain unclear.
5. Hawaiian & Polynesian Cultures (pre-contact
period, before 18th century CE)
Medical Evidence
- Shark-tooth
scalpels and obsidian knives used for surgical procedures, including lancing
abscesses, tattooing, and bone-setting.
- Trepanation
was rare but existed in some Polynesian cultures.
- Coconut
fibers were used for suturing wounds, a substitute for metal needles.
Comparison with Colima
- Polynesians
had a more developed surgical tradition, with documented wound
treatment methods.
- Use
of sharp organic materials (shark teeth) was a parallel to Colima’s
obsidian tools.
- Polynesians
had more documented external medical interventions, while Colima’s
medical practices remain speculative.
Conclusions: Colima vs. Other Non-Metalworking Cultures
1. Medical Awareness
- Colima
figurines suggest highly detailed observations of human pathology,
similar to Paracas and Chinchorro mortuary practices.
- However,
there is no direct evidence that Colima used this knowledge for surgery
as Paracas did.
2. Surgical Tools
- Colima,
like Paracas and Polynesians, had obsidian blades, but the latter
cultures used them for surgical interventions.
- Colima’s
lack of metal tools limited precision but did not necessarily
prevent procedures like lancing infections or simple wound care.
3. Unique Characteristics
- Paracas
and Polynesians showed direct surgical applications, whereas Colima’s
medical knowledge seems more observational than practiced.
- Chinchorro’s
mortuary practices were sophisticated, but Colima did not display
similar post-mortem interventions beyond burial customs.
Final Thoughts
While Colima had detailed anatomical knowledge, its lack
of metal tools likely prevented advanced medical procedures, unlike
cultures such as Paracas and Polynesians, who developed stone-based surgical
techniques. If Colima practiced medicine, it was likely herbal, external, or
limited to wound care rather than surgical intervention.
Possible Medicinal Plants and Healing Rituals in Colima’s
Shaft Tomb Culture
While no written records survive from the Colima (Shaft
Tomb) culture, we can infer possible medicinal practices based on later
Mesoamerican traditions, archaeological evidence, and the prevalence of
healing-focused figurines in certain sites. Many of the plants used by the Aztecs,
Maya, and contemporary Indigenous groups were likely available to the
Colima people as well.
1. Medicinal Plants That May Have Been Used in Colima
Healing Centers
🌿 Pain Relief &
Anesthesia
- Cacao
(Theobroma cacao) – The Maya and Aztecs used cacao in medicinal drinks
to treat fatigue and inflammation. It may have had a similar role in West
Mexico.
- Toloache
(Datura stramonium) – A powerful hallucinogen and anesthetic used by
Indigenous healers across Mesoamerica. Often used in shamanic rituals, it
may have helped dull pain or induce trance states during healing
ceremonies.
- Wild
Tobacco (Nicotiana rustica) – Used as a painkiller and antiseptic.
Indigenous healers would chew or apply tobacco poultices to wounds or
infected areas.
🌱 Antiseptics & Wound
Treatment
- Copal
(Bursera spp.) – Resin burned in ceremonies but also applied to wounds
as a natural antiseptic.
- Aloe
Vera (Aloe spp.) – Used for treating burns, wounds, and skin
infections. Aloe grows naturally in Mexico and may have been part of
Colima healing.
- Agave
(Agave spp.) – Agave sap was used to disinfect wounds, and its fibers
were sometimes used as sutures.
- Obsidian
Dust (Volcanic Glass Fragments) – Obsidian knives are known, but fine
obsidian powder was sometimes used in later Mesoamerican medicine as an antibacterial
agent for wound dressing.
🍵 Digestive &
Internal Ailments
- Epazote
(Dysphania ambrosioides) – Used widely in Mesoamerica for treating
parasites and digestive issues.
- Guava
Leaves (Psidium guajava) – Known for their antibacterial properties,
these leaves may have been chewed or brewed into teas for stomach issues.
- Hoja
Santa (Piper auritum) – A plant with both culinary and medicinal uses,
known for treating coughs, fever, and respiratory infections.
2. Healing Rituals and Shamanic Practices
🔥 Sweat Lodges (Temazcal)
- Sweat
lodges (temazcales) were common in Mesoamerican cultures, and evidence of
similar practices may exist in West Mexico.
- Used
for:
- Detoxification
and purification.
- Treating
respiratory illnesses.
- Healing
joint and muscle pain.
- A
shaman might use herbal steam infusions by throwing medicinal
plants like epazote, sage, and eucalyptus onto heated stones.
🩸 Bloodletting &
Cupping
- While
evidence of bloodletting in Colima is unclear, it was widespread in
Mesoamerica as a way to balance health, release illness, or appease
spirits.
- Obsidian
blades, sharp thorns, or stingray spines may have been used for small
incisions in healing rituals.
👤 Healing Through
Figurines & Effigies
- Some
Colima figurines may have been used as effigies in healing rituals—possibly
as prayer objects or representations of sick individuals to absorb
illness.
- Similar
to later Mesoamerican practices, a shaman might have:
- Buried,
burned, or offered the figurine to rid a person of disease.
- Used
it in divination rituals to determine the cause of an illness.
🌬️ Use of Hallucinogens
in Shamanic Healing
- Peyote
(Lophophora williamsii) – Found in nearby regions, peyote was a sacred
hallucinogen used in healing and vision quests. Shamans may have used
it to diagnose illnesses or communicate with spirits.
- Datura
(Toloache) – As mentioned earlier, it was potent but dangerous,
inducing trances for shamanic healing.
3. Did the Colima Have Surgical Practices?
- No
skeletal evidence confirms surgeries, trepanations, or bone-setting in
Colima culture.
- However,
given their advanced anatomical knowledge (as seen in figurines), it’s
possible they practiced non-invasive treatments like massage therapy,
wound care, and herbal medicine.
- Obsidian
scalpels could have been used for minor surgical procedures, as seen
in later Mesoamerican cultures.
Final Thoughts
- The presence
of healing centers, realistic disease depictions, and medicinal plant
availability suggests the Colima had a structured healing system,
likely led by shamans or specialized healers.
- They
may have relied on herbal medicine, ritual purification, and
effigy-based healing, rather than invasive surgery.
- The lack
of metal tools may have limited the development of precise surgical
techniques but did not prevent sophisticated healing traditions.
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