Hamon C. auteur aut IRD Pereira G. auteur aut IRD Aubry L. auteur aut IRD Chevrel Magdalena Oryaelle auteur aut IRD Siebe C. auteur aut IRD Quezada-Ramirez O. auteur aut IRD Reyes-Guzmán N. auteur aut IRD text journalArticle eng text/pdf reformatted digital access In Mesoamerica, metates and molcajetes are traditionally used for daily food preparation. These grinding tools are still made today by specialized craftsmen (metateros), who share their work between the quarries and their home workshops. In the Purépecha village of Turicuaro (Michoacan, Mexico), a systematic documentation of the work processes and techniques used to make these tools was carried out with the help of skilled metateros. By presenting the tools, processes, and know-how required for this activity, this study contributes to archaeological considerations on this millennial activity. The comparison of detailed production processes from different documented areas of Mesoamerica provides insights into the organization of the work, the individual variability, and the cultural characteristics that are reflected in this technical social activity. specialized Grinding tools Quarry Workshop Craft activity Techniques Mesoamerica MEXIQUE 112 64 105153 [19 ] 2025 2352-409X https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010093484 10.1016/j.jasrep.2025.105153 2352-409X [F B010093484] https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010093484 https://horizon.documentation.ird.fr/exl-doc/pleins_textes/2025-06/010093484.pdf IRD - Base Horizon / Pleins textes 2025-06-11 2026-02-20 fdi:010093484 fre