Clay stamps in Mexico

Pre-Hispanic stamps

Pre-Hispanic stamps are the oldest form of printing in Mexico. They were fired-clay pieces with a raised design: they were inked with pigments and pressed onto cloth, paper, hide, pottery or even the body.

There were two main types: flat stamps, with a handle on the back, and cylindrical ones, which were rolled to form a continuous band. Their designs include frets, spirals, flowers, animals, glyphs and human figures.

They are found in many Mesoamerican cultures, from the Preclassic to the Postclassic, and are especially abundant in the Central Highlands.

The MUNAG has one of the largest collections of pre-Hispanic clay stamps, displayed in its Pre-Hispanic room.