A taste for green : a global perspective on ancient jade, turquoise and variscite exchange / edited by Carlos Rodríguez-Rellán, Ben Nelson, Ramón Fábregas Valcarce.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Rodríguez-Rellán, Carlos, editor.

Nelson, Ben A., editor.

Fábregas Valcarce, Ramón, editor.

George Clapp Vaillant Book Fund.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Precious stones.

History.

Variscite.

Jade.

Turquoise.

Turquoise--History.

Jade--History.

Variscite--History.

Precious stones--History.

Antiquities.

Excavations (Archaeology).

Genre:

History.

Physical Description:

xi, 180 pages : illustrations (black and white, and color), maps ; 25 cm

Place of Publication:

Oxford : Oxbow Books, [2020]

Summary:

Often along vast expanses, ancient societies traded certain commodities that were considered valuable either for functional or symbolic reasons - or, rather, a mixture of both factors. 'A Taste for Green' addresses latest research into the acquisition of jade, turquoise or variscite, all of which share a characteristic greenish colour and an engaging appearance once they are polished in the shape of axes or assorted adornments. Papers explore how, in addition to constituting economic transactions, the transfers of these materials were also statements of social liaisons, personal capacities, and relation to places or to unseen forces. 0The volume centres on two study areas, Western Europe and Mexico/Southwest US, which are far apart not just in geographical terms but also with regard to their chronology and socioeconomic features. While some North and Mesoamerican groups range from relatively complex farming societies up to state-like organisations during the 1st and 2nd millennia AD, the European counterparts are comparatively simpler polities spanning the 5th-3rd millennia BC. By contrasting the archaeological evidence from diverse areas we may gain insights into the role that production/movement of these green stones played in their respective political and ritual economies. Also, we think it useful to compare the scientific approaches applied to this question in different parts of the globe, specially Asia.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references.

Local Notes:

Acquired for the Penn Libraries with assistance from the George Clapp Vaillant Book Fund.

ISBN:

9781789252743

1789252741

OCLC:

1120195118

Publisher Number:

99984131173