Obsidian is formed from quickly cooled lava, which is the parent material. The Natural History by the Roman writer Pliny the Elder includes a few sentences about a volcanic glass called obsidian ( lapis obsidianus), discovered in Ethiopia by Obsidius, a Roman explorer. Pliny the Elder, Naturalis Historia 36,67 (AD 77) In the past, it was used to manufacture cutting and piercing tools, and it has been used experimentally as surgical scalpel blades. Obsidian is hard, brittle, and amorphous it therefore fractures with sharp edges.
Together with rapid cooling, this results in a natural glass forming from the lava. The high viscosity inhibits diffusion of atoms through the lava, which inhibits the first step ( nucleation) in the formation of mineral crystals. These flows have a high content of silica, granting them a high viscosity. It is commonly found within the margins of rhyolitic lava flows known as obsidian flows.
Obsidian is produced from felsic lava, rich in the lighter elements such as silicon, oxygen, aluminium, sodium, and potassium. ən, ɒ b-/) is a naturally occurring volcanic glass formed when lava extruded from a volcano cools rapidly with minimal crystal growth. Requiring the sharpest precision of the most skilled craftsmen to reveal the stone’s striking sheen, the final product is an elegant and enigmatic timepiece, making it the perfect holiday gift for the special one.Naturally occurring volcanic glass Obsidian The Mayan prophets used polished Obsidian as “mirrors” for scrying purposes their way of prophesizing the future.įor MYKU, we chose the most charismatic pieces that deserved to be showcased in our timepieces. Given its sharpness, the stone is considered to pierce into darkness to reveal the truth itself. Still today, it is widely believed that the Obsidian is a protective stone that shields against negative energy. The precious stone further played a central role in jewelry and ritual items. Itzpapalotl Obsidian Butterfly Goddess Of The Stars In ancient Mexican culture this stone was called Itzli, literally the god of stone, as it was used to make weapons for war as well as cutting tools for everyday use. In fact, it is so sharp that it is still used in surgical tools today. The Obsidian can produce rock fragments with very sharp edges. Given the abundance of obsidian found in the area and its high value, it was considered most precious, whereas interestingly, precious metals known to us, such as gold, never played a key role in the Mayan society.Ĭeremonial Aztec knife made of flaked obsidian. The volcanic glass stone was used in trading by Mayan merchants, dating as far back as 100 years BC.
Obsidian is an igneous rock formed by the rapid cooling and hardening of the volcanic lava. Mexica and Totonac leaders meet to talk politics and trade. Central to Mayan technology was the profound use of a special stone, known as Obsidian. When the Spaniards set foot for the first time in the Mayan lands, they were fascinated by this ancient civilization, which seemed so superior in their crafts and sciences such as astrology and physics despite having been unknown to outside world and existing in seclusion. Storming of the Teocalli by Cortez and his troops.
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