Obsidian as an example of natural resources utilized by the Maya

The principal stones and minerals that the Classic Maya utilized were chert (“flint”), jadeite, obsidian, iron pyrite, cinnabar, hematite, and other materials that were showy (for burial or ceremonies) or useful. You can obtain a more complete list in any monograph on the artifacts of Uaxactun, of Tikal, etc.

Hematite, cinnabar and other minerals were used for colors. The Maya also used clays and botanical products for dyes. Charcoal was the main source for the color black.

Dyes were used for cosmetic purposes both for men and women. Dyes also come from clays and plants. Colorants with sacred connotations, such as cinnabar, were used in elite burials.

The long range FLAAR projects intends to:

• Photograph all pertinent minerals in their natural habitat.

• Photograph all minerals in our professional photography studio to show their color, variation, and form.

• As time becomes available, photograph pertinent artifacts that are made of these minerals.

Obsidian (volcanic glass) is the most common mineral utilized by the Classic Maya, and one source of obsidian can easily be seen by any visitor to Guatemala at Km 25 on the Carretera al Atlantico. The actual source of El Chayal is up on top of the hill; we show the obsidian visible from the road cut.

Green obsidian comes from Pachuca, far away in Mexico. When I visited those mines over a decade ago I was impressed how extensive they were.