An ancient Pre Columbian Costa Rican Jaguar Metate bench. Made of basalt stone with a tail and hand carved head. Circa 900 to 1500 AD. The sculpture of large basalt stones has been one of the main forms of ritual sculpture in Costa Rica since 1 AD. Large stone metates were mainly used as surfaces for grinding, but many that were not much worn were probably used as benches or platforms for the elite. It is assumed that the cat figurines of metates were inspired by the late classic Mesoamerican stone jaguar thrones. Ancient Pre Columbian Stone Tools And Historical Collectibles.