History of obsidian in Mexico

Obsidian was abundant in central Mexico due to volcanic activity. The Aztecs controlled large obsidian deposits near Guanajuato and used obsidian for a variety of purposes: to make weapons, tools, and jewelry, and for trade.

Obsidian served a role similar to that of metals in Europe.

The famous Aztec obsidian swords were famous for their sharpness.

Obsidian’s sharp edges made it ideal for making tools and weapons. Skilled craftsmen carefully chipped raw obsidian using other stones or antler tools to create blades, arrowheads, spear points, and cutting tools.

These tools played a critical role in hunting, farming, and everyday tasks.

Obsidian’s glossy texture and deep black color have made it a sought-after material for creating works of art and ritual objects. Craftsmen sculpted intricate figures, ceremonial masks, and decorative ornaments from obsidian.

These objects often had symbolic meaning in religious and cultural ceremonies.

One of the most interesting uses of obsidian in Aztec culture was the creation of large obsidian mirrors that were polished on both sides and used in shamanic rituals and prophecies.

These mirrors were used as a means of divination and were often called “smoke” or “spirit” mirrors. Diviners looked at the changeable and ghostly black obsidian and saw into the future, as well as visiting the past.

Obsidian mirrors were a symbol of power and wisdom. Each Aztec ruler had a mirror with which he could observe his subjects and see their misdeeds. Each mirror had a threaded hole at the top, intended to be worn as a necklace.

Obsidian mirrors were polished on both sides, and had two sides and two functions: the first was to reveal the will of the rulers to the people, and the second was to reveal the wrongdoings of the people to the ruler.

The obsidian mirrors were both receivers and bearers of divine power.

The natural beauty of obsidian has been useful for making jewelry. Craftsmen carved obsidian into beads, pendants, and amulets, which were then tied together or set in metal to create necklaces, earrings, and bracelets.

Obsidian jewelry was also believed to have protective or spiritual properties.

Ancient Mesoamerican cultures carefully polished obsidian disks to achieve a reflective surface. These obsidian mirrors were used for both practical and ceremonial purposes, including divination and religious rituals.

Obsidian played a significant role in long-distance trade networks throughout ancient Mexico.

Communities with access to high-quality sources of obsidian will trade the surplus with neighboring regions, exchanging it for other goods such as food, textiles, and ceramics. This promoted cultural exchange and economic development between different civilizations.

Making objects from obsidian required special knowledge, skills, and craftsmanship.

Craftsmen often underwent extensive training to master the techniques of processing and polishing this unique material. The resulting artifacts not only served practical purposes but also reflected the artistic expression and cultural identity of ancient Mexico.

Obsidian is difficult to process due to its fragility and tendency to break unpredictably. However, the ancient civilizations of pre-Hispanic Mexico developed sophisticated techniques for working with this unique material:

Cleaving is the process of shaping an obsidian by striking it with another hard material, such as a horn, or bone. Craftsmen carefully and with precise force struck the obsidian, removing scales and giving it the desired shape.

Craftsmen also used pressure flaking to improve the shape and edge of obsidian tools and weapons. Pressure flaking involves applying pressure with a pointed instrument, such as bone or antler, to gently remove small flakes from the surface of the obsidian.

Craftsmen often sanded and polished the surface to achieve a smooth finish. Abrasive materials such as sandstone or even sand and water were used to sand down rough edges and create a polished surface suitable for decorative objects or mirrors.

In some cases, obsidian was heat treated to improve its workability.

Controlled heating of raw obsidian can reduce its brittleness and make it easier to shape without undue destruction. This method required precise control of temperature and cooling rate to avoid damaging the obsidian.

Craftsmen in pre-Hispanic Mexico developed several specialized tools for working obsidian. These tools have been carefully crafted and tailored to the unique properties of obsidian to facilitate the production process.

Obsidian was highly valued for its sharpness, durability, and aesthetic appeal.

Mastery of obsidian processing techniques allowed ancient Mesoamerican cultures to create complex tools, weapons, works of art, and ritual objects that played an important role in their daily lives and cultural practices.

Obsidian is a durable stone for jewelry that can last for generations.

The 3rd largest obsidian deposit in the world is near Guadalajara. Pieces of obsidian are scattered across the mountainside, and miners rarely have to dig deeper than a meter to find vast deposits of black obsidian.

There are many other color variations of obsidian in Mexico such as rainbow, sheen, snowflake, mahogany, peanut, and velvet. But all these types of obsidian are less common than the more common black obsidian.

In modern Mexico, obsidian continues to be used in crafts for local and tourist markets. Skilled artisans create a wide range of modern handicrafts, including jewelry, sculpture, decorative objects, and kitchen utensils.

These artisans often combine traditional techniques with modern designs.

Street markets and craft shops especially in Mexico City and Oaxaca offer a variety of obsidian souvenirs which range from small trinkets such as keychains and figurines to larger items such as carved sculptures and jewelry.

Although many obsidian souvenirs sold in street markets are genuine, tourists need to exercise caution and check the authenticity of the products. Sellers may sell imitation or low-quality copies made of glass or plastic.

Authentic obsidian products are smooth, glassy texture, and conchoidal fracture.

Keychains and small figurines can cost relatively little. Larger and more complex pieces, sculptures and jewelry, can range from tens to hundreds of dollars or more, especially if they are handmade by skilled craftsmen.