Obsidian (Disambiguation)

Image by Simeon Netchev

Map of the Olmec Civilization

The Olmec civilization, flourishing along the Gulf Coast of Mexico between c. 1200 and 400 BCE, represents one of the earliest complex societies in Mesoamerica and is often described as its “mother culture.” Emerging in the fertile lowlands...

Image by Unknown

Aztec Warriors

Aztec warriors in typical costume of elite ranks with back racks displaying group insignia. They each carry an obsidian-bladed spear. From the Codex Mendoza, folio 67. (Bodleian Library, Oxford)

Image by Travis

Ehecatl, God of the Winds

A statue of Ehecatl, the Mesoamerican god of the Winds. The eyes are of obsidian and he wears his typical beaked mask. Aztec, Late Postclassic period. (National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City)

Image by Mark Cartwright

Ua Staff, Rapa Nui

An Ua staff from Rapa Nui (Easter Island). Wood, bone, and obsidian. 1.49 m x 6.4 cm. Collected in the 18th century CE. (Vatican Museums, Rome)

Image by Mark Cartwright

Moai Tangata, Rapa Nui

Moai tangata, Rapa Nui (Easter Island). Wood, bone, and obsidian. Collected in 1892 CE. Height: 46 cm. (Vatican Museums, Rome)

Image by Metropolitan Museum of Art

Hellenistic Head of an Aethiopian

This beautifully crafted head portrays an "Aethiopian", or black African, and is made out of black bronze, gold, obsidian and carnelian. The piece was once a part of an ornate object like a serving dish although it has been broken off at...

Image by Jade Koekoe

Teotihuacan Style Mask

This mask (900-1521 CE) is made of greenstone with obsidian eyes. Teotihuacan predated the Aztec civilisation by over 1,000 years. The Aztec's were curious archaeologists and they were impressed by the ruins of the civilisations that came...

Image by Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin

Statue of King Sobekemsaf I or II

This is one of just a few surviving royal statues from the late Second Intermediate Period, when southern Egypt was ruled from Thebes. Two of its kings had the birth name of Sobekemsaf, but their order and chronological potions remain disputed...

Image by James Blake Wiener

The Maya "Columns" Structure at San Gervasio

This Maya structure located on the Mexican island of Cozumel at the archaeological site of San Gervasio has seven columns, a bench running along the inner walls, and a throne or altar in the middle of the room. The chambers along the side...