Taste for Green: A global perspective on ancient jade, turquoise and variscite exchange

Ancient societies traded valuable commodities like jade, turquoise, and variscite for functional or symbolic reasons, and the transferral of these materials was also a statement of social liaisons, personal capacities, and relations to places or unseen forces. The volume focuses on two study areas, Western Europe and México/Southwest US, which are far apart in geographical terms and chronology, and compares the archaeological evidence from diverse areas to gain insights into the role that production/movement of these green stones played in their respective political and ritual economies.

Format: Hardback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 31 December 2019
Publisher: Oxbow Books

Ancient societies engaged in extensive trade across vast expanses, exchanging commodities that held both functional and symbolic value. These valuable items, including jade, turquoise, and variscite, possessed a distinctive greenish hue and captivating appearance when polished into axes or various adornments. Research into the acquisition of these green stones has uncovered fascinating insights into their economic transactions, social liaisons, personal capabilities, and connections to places and unseen forces.

The volume focuses on two study areas, Western Europe and México/Southwest US, which are geographically and chronologically distinct. While certain North and Mesoamerican groups evolved from complex farming societies to state-like organizations during the 1st and 2nd millennia AD, European counterparts were comparatively simpler polities spanning the 5th–3rd millennia BC. By comparing the archaeological evidence from these diverse regions, we can gain valuable insights into the role that the production and movement of these green stones played in their respective political and ritual economies.

Furthermore, it is insightful to compare the scientific approaches employed to address this question across different parts of the globe, particularly Asia. The study of green stones offers a rich tapestry of cultural, economic, and social insights, shedding light on the complex interactions and networks of ancient societies.

Weight: 670g
Dimension: 176 x 247 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781789252743