# Spatula with Carved Head

- Date: 500–900
- Medium: bone with shell inlay
- Classification: Jewelry
- Dimensions: Overall: 11.2 x 2.6 cm (4 7/16 x 1 in.)
- Culture: Peru, Wari style (500-900)
- Credit line: In memory of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Humphreys, gift of their daughter Helen
- Museum: [Cleveland Museum of Art](https://clevelandart.org/art/1955.57)
- Rights: [Public domain (CC0)](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- Picture: https://openaccess-cdn.clevelandart.org/1955.57/1955.57_web.jpg
- Who can see it: Tweens profiles and older (museums give no ratings; placed by Invisible Network from the museum's own words)

Peruvian Indians today regard coca leaf as a sacred substance that creates communion with supernatural forces. The leaves are chewed with powdered lime that in antiquity was stored in containers and scooped with spatulas like those seen here. Aside from its ritual meaning, coca has practical benefits: it is vitamin-rich; like coffee, it induces clear-headedness; and it increases stamina. The lizard spatula is Nasca in style; the other is Wari.