Obsidian reflections : symbolic dimensions of obsidian in Mesoamerica / edited by Marc N. Levine and David M. Carballo.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Levine, Marc N., editor.

Carballo, David M., editor.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Obsidian implements--Mexico.

Obsidian implements.

Obsidian implements--Central America.

Indians of Mexico--Implements.

Indians of Mexico.

Indians of Central America--Implements.

Indians of Central America.

Indians of Mexico--Antiquities.

Indians of Central America--Antiquities.

Central America.

Mexico.

Physical Description:

xiii, 331 pages ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Boulder : University Press of Colorado, [2014]

Summary:

"Departing from the political economy perspective taken by the vast majority of volumes devoted to Mesoamerican obsidian, Obsidian Reflections is an examination of obsidian's sociocultural dimensions--particularly in regard to Mesoamerican world view, religion, and belief systems. Exploring the materiality rather than only the functionality of this volcanic glass, this book considers the interplay between people, obsidian, and meaning and how these relationships shaped patterns of procurement, exchange, and use. An international group of scholars, hailing from Belize, France, Japan, Mexico, and the United States provide a variety of case studies from Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and Honduras. The authors draw on archaeological, iconographic, ethnographic, and ethnohistoric data to examine obsidian as a touchstone for cultural meaning, including references to sacrificial precepts, powerful deities, landscape, warfare, social relations, and fertility. In addition, Obsidian Reflections underscores the necessity of understanding obsidian from within its cultural context--from the perspective of the indigenous people of Mesoamerica. It will be of great interest to Mesomaericanists as well as students and scholars of lithic studies and material culture. "-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Reflections on obsidian studies in Mesoamerica : past, present, and future / Marc N. Levine

Ethnohistorical evidence for obsidian's ritual and symbolic uses among the postclassic Tarascans / Veronique Darras

The symbolism of obsidian in postclassic central Mexico / Alejandro Pastrana and Ivonne Athie

Machetes and meaning : some notes on cutting tools in a contemporary Mixtec community / John Monaghan

Symbolic and ritual dimensions of exchange, production, use, and deposition of ancient Maya obsidian artifacts / Kazuo Aoyama

Obsidian obsessed? : examining patterns of chipped-stone procurement at late postclassic Tututepec, Oaxaca / Marc N. Levine

Obsidian symbolism in a temple offering from La Laguna, Tlaxcala / David M. Carballo

Ritual use of obsidian from Maya caves in Belize : a functional and symbolic analysis / W. James Stemp and Jaime Awe

Obsidian and ritual in Xochitecatl-Cacaxtla / Mari Carmen Serra Puche, Jesus Carlos Lazcano Arce, and Monica Blanco Garcia Mendez

Reflections on reflections / William J. Parry.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781607323006

1607323001

OCLC:

866251962