Why obsidian was prized in mesoamerica

Obsidian ear spools, necklaces and rings have also been discovered, indicating further personal associations with the commodity. However, the eccentric obsidian finds in Mesoamerican graves relate more to Mesoamerican religious ideology than practical daily use. Distinct representations of the God Quetzalcoatl and projectile points that are part Quetzalcoatl and part projectile point are common in the ritual graves of both complexes.

These finds indicate a spiritual connection between Mesoamerican peoples and the mystical world that surrounded them. By incorporating the mundane world a spear point with the spiritual world an effigy of a god , Mesoamerican cultures demonstrated the connective properties of obsidian to act as a gateway between worlds.

Further, the inclusion of anamorphic figurines in ritual graves act as a representation of renewal and termination. These eccentric obsidian offerings are representations of gods within temple sites and act as a physical link between realms, ensuring the blessing, support, and the essence of their deities within the complexes. For full functionality please enable JavaScript in your browser settings. Need Help? Text Quetzalcoatl, the plumed serpent ingrained in the historiography of Mesoamerica cultures, is steeped in mystic symbolism that permeates almost every aspect of the Mesoamerican cultures dating back almost two millennia.

Last modified April 28, Pre-Columbian Art. Anthropology, Geography, Human Geography. Get Directions. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, Cambridge, U. Pressure flaking blades from a prepared core was a common practice. Edge-rejuvenation or resharpening of blades was performed to prolong the lifespan of many pieces. Modern attempts to recreate production techniques are heavily based on Spanish records and accounts of obsidian knapping.

Motolinia, a Spanish observer, left this account of pressure flaking: "It is in this manner: First they get out a knife stone obsidian core which is black like jet and 20 cm or slightly less in length, and they make it cylindrical and as thick as the calf of the leg, and they place the stone between the feet, and with a stick apply force to the edges of the stone, and at every push they give a little knife springs off with its edges like those of a razor.

The widespread use of obsidian necessitated a large workforce to produce enough tools to supply an area. During Monte Alban 's most populous period to people were working obsidian.

In Teotihuacan, a major contributor, if not possessing monopolistic control of obsidian trade and production, possessed more than obsidian workshops within the city. Obsidian sources are relatively easily identified through trace chemical element analysis, making obsidian an excellent medium for the study of long-distance trade in Mesoamerica.

This pan-Mesoamerican trade industry is due to the limited number of quality sources; the low bulk of obsidian in transport, thus requiring less human effort in trade; and the large quantity of items that may be produced from that small amount.

Two cultures are good examples of the source side of trading and the recipient side; Teotihuacan held significant control over major obsidian sources, and the Mayan culture did not control a single significant source. Evidence of Teotihuacan's trade strength is seen in the presence of obsidian artifacts originating from their controlled sources throughout Mesoamerica, even at a distance of over miles.

It is debated whether the rise of this culture's dominance came from obsidian trade or if the trade simply served as a mode for obtaining elite items or human labor.

The Maya acquired their obsidian from long-distance trade arriving at central places such as Tikal, Uaxactun , and Palenque. These Maya centers then redistributed the obsidian to smaller settlements.

This is seen by the lack debitage from core production, cortex flakes or large percussion flakes, in the more rural areas of Maya territory. The larger centers may have exported fully pre-formed cores to outlying regions.

Evidence also points towards much coastal trade, with higher quantities of obsidian artifacts found in coastal sites than in those farther inland in areas such as Belize. Obsidian trade was far-reaching, allowing opportunities for contact and trade of a variety of other items and ideas during pre-Hispanic times. Obsidian sources were limited in Mesoamerica. Pachuca was a notable source with its high quality green obsidian, which was traded widely throughout Mesoamerica. These highland Guatemalan sources served the Mayans through long-distance trade.

The Maya Empire, centered in the tropical lowlands of what is now Guatemala, reached the peak of its power and influence around the sixth century A. The Maya excelled at agriculture, pottery, hieroglyph writing, calendar-making and mathematics, and left behind an astonishing A country rich in history, tradition and culture, Mexico is made up of 31 states and one federal district.

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History Vault. Pyramid of the Sun Surrounded by smaller pyramids and platforms, the Pyramid of the Moon is situated at the northern end of the Avenue of the Dead and faces south. Who Built Teotihuacan? Other scholars believe the Totonacs, a tribe from the east, built and inhabited the city. Teotihuacan Religion Little is known about the language, politics, culture and religion of the Teotihuacan people. Recommended for you. How the Troubles Began in Northern Ireland.

Chichen Itza. Aqueducts of Palenque. The Tomb of King Pacal. Aztec Aqueducts. History of Chocolate The history of chocolate can be traced to the ancient Mayans, and even earlier to the ancient Olmecs of southern Mexico. Maya The Maya Empire, centered in the tropical lowlands of what is now Guatemala, reached the peak of its power and influence around the sixth century A.