Classic Maya Shell Belt - Printable Version +- Forums SEASHELL-COLLECTOR (http://forum.seashell-collector.com) +-- Forum: Seashell Collector's Forum (http://forum.seashell-collector.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=3) +--- Forum: Shells identification Help (http://forum.seashell-collector.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=5) +--- Thread: Classic Maya Shell Belt (/showthread.php?tid=730)

Classic Maya Shell Belt - jamesdoyle1 - 03-20-2009 Hi, all - Is there a way to determine the species of shell (Oliva? Olivella?) from this photo? This was likely a dance belt during the Classic Maya period, from the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Thanks in advance! James <img src="http://i40.tinypic.com/1zoudqt.jpg" alt="http://i40.tinypic.com/1zoudqt.jpg" style="border:0" /> Classic Maya Shell Belt - paul monfils - 03-21-2009 Hi James, Definitely Oliva, not Olivella.  The image is a bit small on my monitor screen but I would guess Oliva spicata, assuming they are from the west coast.  If there is any chance they might be Caribbean then they could be Oliva reticularis but I think O. spicata is more likely.  The apparently darker shells peeking out from underneath might be Oliva polpasta, but I can't see them well enough to say anything more definite than that.  <span class="petit">--Last edited by Paul Monfils on 2009-03-21 17:05:48 --</span> Classic Maya Shell Belt - dave r - 03-21-2009 Yucatan is on the Caribbean side so they would be O. reticularis. Dave