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Charles Zidar
ANCIENT MAYA ZOOLOGICAL RESEARCH |
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| Family: | Emydidae | | Genus: | Chelonia | | Species: | mydas | | Authority: | Linnaeus, 1758 | | Common Name: | Green Sea Turtle | | Maya Name: | Áak, Tsulin áak | | Faunal Type: | Reptile/Amphibian | | Depictions: | Shell | | Significance: | Green sea turtle carapaces were made into drums by the Maya. Turtles were regularly roasted and eaten. Eggs provided calcium. Bones have been excavated at many Maya sites and were the most abundant bone discovered at Tikal (Pohl 1990). Shells were worn and used in ceremonies. The turtle was used as medicine and represented in creation myths and in the constellations.
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