While working on the Chinese portions of the sites, several small implement-looking objects were uncovered by a number of dig teams in different locations. They were often made of jade or ivory, but some had been found that were wooden and some that were metal. They roughly resembled cocaine spoons.
Eventually the hypotheses boiled down to an undetermined ceremonial use. Some time later, my friend was in SF's Chinatown and wandered into a soft-goods shop where she found one of the tiny, slender, long-stemmed spoons for about two bucks. She couldn't believe her eyes.
Joan grabbed the spoon, went to the counter, and bought the spoon. After paying for it, she asked if there was any special use for it. The lady behind the counter looked at her like she was a crazy seven-year-old and gestured with her hand to her ear: "It for wax."
Reminded me strongly of something family legand holds that my paternal grandfather would do, or did at least once do.
He travelled for business. From central Oregon to the coast and back. Going to the coast he would take (or did once take) 'desert' rocks to the coast, and would bring 'beach' rocks back to the desert. And then drop them off. To confound future students who would have to ponder how beach rocks got to the desert and visa-versa.
