Snuff tray

[1] Scientists have tried to categorize these trays based on carvings, geographical significance, time periods and stylistic features.

[1] The Tiwanaku (SAIS) style is characterized by a trapezoidal shape, incurving sides and sharp top corners.

[1] The Circumpueño style trays have been identified through anthropomorphic (human) and zoomorphic (animal) figures performing ceremonial acts or rituals.

[1] Archaeologists encountered snuff trays while excavating underground tombs and sites in the San Pedro de Atacama region as well as the southern central Andes.

[2] Snuff trays were found buried with the elites of ancient societies in their tombs along with other valuable items that lower socioeconomic peoples would not have had access to.

[4] This evidence points to snuff trays as having a huge significance in the society and culture of the Tiwanaku state because of their existence.

Due to this evidence, scientists and archeologists have concluded that snuff trays were a very significant part of society, culture and the socioeconomic class structure of higher up elite individuals.

This is an example of a San Pedro de Atacama snuff tray that is identified as a San Pedro example of the two groups (Circumpueño and San Pedro). This is because of the anthropomorphic human figure on top of the tray. It can also be identified as a San Pedro tray because it does not have zoomorphic or animal within the carving.
This is an example of a San Pedro de Atacama snuff tray that is identified as a Circumpueño style tray of the two groups (Circumpueño and San Pedro). This is because of the zoomorphic or animal figures flanking the top of the tray.
This is an example of a Tiwanaku monolith statue holding a snuff tray. The snuff tray is being held in the statue’s right hand.