Maya Obsidian Trade: Volcano Glass and Empires
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The Maya had no iron or bronze, but they had obsidian — volcanic glass sharper than steel. In this episode, Lucas and Luna trace the obsidian trade routes that linked the highland sources like El Chayal and Ixtepeque to lowland cities such as Tikal, Copán, and Calakmul. They discuss how control of obsidian was a marker of political power, how blades were used in ritual bloodletting and battle, and how the flow of this material collapsed during the Terminal Classic. Along the way, they touch on the economic theories of tribute vs. market exchange, and the surprising evidence that even common Maya households had access to obsidian. A sharp look at the sharpest edge of Maya civilization.
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