While often called a “sword,” the macuahuitl was more like a hybrid between that and the spiked/bladed clubs that preceded it. One other factor in the spread of prismatic blades was the growing centrality of the macuahuitl in Mesoamerican warfare. There is no clear explanation for this shift, and it could include factors as diverse as lack of consistent obsidian supply, competition from other forms of blade and tool making, and sumptuary control of prismatic blades as elite items. Prior to this, weaponry had employed various kinds of stone points as well as other sharp objects (e.g., shark teeth), but the production of prismatic blades really took off in the Postclassic. While present and common enough throughout the history of Mesoamerica, it was not until the Postclassic period starting around 900 CE that this form of stone tool became the dominant form of blade used throughout the region (Healan 2009). Obsidian is a superb material for making these items. Like the microblades described above, prismatic blades were flaked off a core, but these were typically larger in size and were ideally shaped like a long, flat trapezoid with razor sharp parallel edges. One of the distinctive technologies of Mesoamerica was the use of prismatic blades. One of these peaks, in the chain of mountains separating the valleys of Mexico and Puebla, is still active and goes by the Nahuatl name Popocatepetl, which literally translates to “Smoking Mountain.”Īrchaic Mesoamericans were quick to adopt the plethora of obsidian into their toolkit. The highest mountains in Mexico today are a mix of dormant and active volcanoes. Central Mexico, as a volcanically active region, has abundant sources of obsidian. The properties of obsidian, however, make it an excellent material for creating blades from cores. Microblades are not exclusive to obsidian, but can be created from any number of crystalline or vitreous rock. By applying pressure to the edge of a larger “core” stone, a blade the length of the core can be flaked off and then used by itself or attached to a haft. In the late Pleistocene, the major innovation was the use of microblades. Rather than devising high temperature kilns to melt these rocks, they instead innovated numerous techniques to maximize the cutting edge and durability of their materials. Humans in the past very astutely recognized the properties of obsidian and other stones used to make tools. Smaller knives of obsidian were made and used, but a long “sword” of obsidian thin and light enough wield would very quickly snap and shatter. Also, while obsidian is fairly hard and can produce extraordinary sharp edges, it is a brittle material. Obsidian produces excellent blades by simply fracturing the stone. Melting and then casting obsidian would be a tremendous waste of time and materials. Casting molten obsidian can also be done, but the real question is why would anyone do such a thing? It does, after all, start life as molten lava which then rapidly cools, producing the glass-like substance in question here. Obsidian can be melted to a liquid state. Previous AMAs | Previous Roundtables Featuresįeature posts are posted weekly. May 25th | Panel AMA with /r/AskBibleScholars Please Subscribe to our Google Calendar for Upcoming AMAs and Events To nominate someone else as a Quality Contributor, message the mods. Our flaired users have detailed knowledge of their historical specialty and a proven record of excellent contributions to /r/AskHistorians. Please Read and Understand the Rules Before Contributing. Report Comments That Break Reddiquette or the Subreddit Rules. Serious On-Topic Comments Only: No Jokes, Anecdotes, Clutter, or other Digressions. Provide Primary and Secondary Sources If Asked. Write Original, In-Depth and Comprehensive Answers, Using Good Historical Practices. Questions should be clear and specific in what they ask, and should be able to get detailed answers from historians whose expertise is likely to be in particular times and places. Nothing Less Than 20 Years Old, and Don't Soapbox. Be Nice: No Racism, Bigotry, or Offensive Behavior. Downvote and Report comments that are unhelpful or grossly off-topic.Upvote informative, well sourced answers.New to /r/AskHistorians? Please read our subreddit rules and FAQ before posting! Apply for Flair
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