Aztecs Preferred Green Obsidian from Sierra de Pachuca, New Study Reveals

Archaeologists have explored the use of obsidian — a volcanic glass used for tools and ceremonial objects and one of the most important raw materials in pre-Columbian times — in the Mexica (Aztec) Empire. They’ve analyzed 788 obsidian artifacts, including multiple types of objects and contexts, excavated from the Templo Mayor of Tenochtitlan (c. 1375-1520 CE), the main temple and core of the Empire located in what is now Mexico City. They’ve found that Aztecs preferred green obsidian from Sierra de Pachuca, but continuously consumed this material from seven additional places. The findings suggest a sophisticated economy that relied not only on conquest but on active long-distance trade, even with rival polities.

Archaeologists have explored the use of obsidian — a volcanic glass used for tools and ceremonial objects and one of the most important raw materials in pre-Columbian times — in the Mexica (Aztec) Empire. They’ve analyzed 788 obsidian artifacts, including multiple types of objects and contexts, excavated from the Templo Mayor of Tenochtitlan (c. 1375-1520 CE), the main temple and core of the Empire located in what is now Mexico City. They’ve found that Aztecs preferred green obsidian from Sierra de Pachuca, but continuously consumed this material from seven additional places. The findings suggest a sophisticated economy that relied not only on conquest but on active long-distance trade, even with rival polities.