*3.4. Maize Stem and Paper Identification*

Sample SSE-6, obtained from a fracture in the beard of the sculpture, confirmed the use of maize stem paste for modeling the volumes. The SEM images showed the characteristic cellular structures of the maize (*Zea mays* L.) vascular bundle (Figure 5a,b) [48]. The internal structure of the sculpture (sample SSE-8) was made with a thick cardboard-like paper made of long, yellowish fibers. Under the microscope, we identified cotton (*Gossypium hirsutum* L.) fibers (Figure 5c), which was the most common textile fiber used by the indigenous populations [49].

**Figure 5.** (**a**) SEM backscattering image of the maize stem sample (SSE-6) shows the maize vascular bundle, Px: protoxylem, Mx: metaxylem vessels, Ph: phloem, Bs: bundle sheath; (**b**) Longitudinal view of some structures of the maize vascular bundle, Px: protoxylem, Mx: metaxylem vessel; (**c**) Cotton fiber from the paper layer (sample SSE-8) under the optical microscope (50×), average diameter 10 μm.
