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Introduction: Recent research on iron-ore mirrors in Mesoamerica and Central America

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 September 2023

Matthieu Ménager Open the ORCID record for Matthieu Ménager [Opens in a new window] ,
Silvia Salgado Open the ORCID record for Silvia Salgado [Opens in a new window]  and
David Freidel Open the ORCID record for David Freidel [Opens in a new window]
Matthieu Ménager*
Affiliation:
Centre d’Études Mexicaines et Centraméricaines, UMIFRE 16, MEAE, CNRS, Université Paris Cité, IMBE, Paris, France; Avignon Université / CNRS / IRD / Aix-Marseille Université, Restoration Engineering of Natural and Cultural Heritage, Faculty of Sciences, Avignon, France; Anthropology Department, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Montes de Oca, San José, Costa Rica; and Archéologie des Amériques, CNRS / Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, Paris, France
Silvia Salgado
Affiliation:
Anthropology Department, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Montes de Oca, San José, Costa Rica
David Freidel
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
*
Corresponding author: Matthieu Ménager, email: matthieu.menager@univ-avignon.fr
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Abstract

This Special Section focuses on recent research centered on iron-ore mirrors in Mesoamerica and Central America. Iron-ore mirrors are rare and esoteric artifacts, mainly crafted by specialized centers in the Maya, central Mexico, and Zapotec areas from the Early Preclassic to the Postclassic. They were found in numerous archaeological sites and cultures, from the Gila River in the United States to the isthmus of Panama.

In this introduction, we present a temporal, geographical, and contextual framework for the actual knowledge on mirrors, in order to fully understand the complexity and importance of the research on these prestigious artifacts. Indeed, the mirrors combine spiritual and political power in a portable and material way, giving a great insight into Mesoamerican beliefs and leading to important information on the relation between rulers of different political centers from different cultural areas.

Finally, we present the articles of the Special Section and give an overview of their content and relevance to the topic.

Resumen

Resumen

Esta sección especial presenta la investigación reciente sobre los espejos de mineral de hierro en Mesoamérica y Centroamérica. Los espejos de mineral de hierro son artefactos raros y esotéricos, los cuales fueron elaborados a partir del preclásico temprano hasta el posclásico, principalmente en centros especializados en el área maya, zapoteca y en el centro de México. Estos espejos se encontraron en numerosos sitios arqueológicos, desde el Río Gila en Estados Unidos hasta el istmo de Panamá.

En esta introducción, presentamos un marco temporal, geográfico y contextual sobre el conocimiento actual de los espejos, con el fin de comprender la complejidad e importancia de la investigación sobre estos prestigiosos artefactos. En efecto, los espejos combinan el poder espiritual y político de manera portátil y material, mostrando elementos de la visión de las creencias mesoamericanas y aportando información importante sobre la relación entre los gobernantes de centros políticos de diferentes áreas culturales.

Finalmente, nos referimos a los artículos de la sección especial y damos una visión general sobre sus contenidos y relevancias en relación con el tema.

Type
Special Section: Recent Research on Iron Ore Mirrors in Mesoamerica and Central America
Information
Ancient Mesoamerica , Volume 35 , Issue 1 , Spring 2024 , pp. 1 - 5
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Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press

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