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.
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.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.