Ancient Mesoamerican Mirrors

When you brush your teeth in the morning are you aware of the implications of being

able to see your own reflection in a mirror? It's considered a fundamental test of intelligence to be able to see one's reflection and to know that it is a part of one's identity and not an image of someone else. Mirrors are commonly used in animal experiments to determine if abstract thought patterns and self-awareness are present within an animal. Great apes, Bottlenose dolphins, Orca whales, European magpies and elephants have so far all passed the test.

So it's no wonder that many ancient cultures held mirrors to be sacred, constructing myths about them and using them for divining purposes. The civilizations of Mesoamerica were no different, and used many materials throughout the pre-Columbian era to make shiny, reflective surfaces. They were considered a door of sorts to another world, a world that they didn't have access to, and that could only be seen..

The Olmecs, the first major civilization in Mesoamerica, were not the first to make mirrors; archaeological evidence suggests that as far back as the 2nd millennium BC, polished stone surfaces were in use. The Olmec material of choice was iron ore, polished with sand until it was very reflective. Curiously, they preferred to make concave shapes, which would reflect an image as upside-down, and could also be used to focus the sun's rays and spark fires. They were usually made from one piece, and thus quite small.

The Maya culture of the Classic Period, between 250 and 900 AD, used iron pyrite, and would cut small pieces and fix them to a piece of slate to make mosaic mirrors. Unfortunately, very few of these survive today, as the material easily oxidizes and was not preserved. Mayan nobles would wear small versions at the small of their backs as a symbol of wealth. These were also found quite often in the tombs and burials at the great city of Teotihuacan.

The Toltecs from the Tula region (Central Mexico) were especially committed to continuing the tradition of wearing a mirror over one's back; they used iron pyrite and surrounded it with elaborate mosaics formed from turquoise. Considered a spiritual and a ritual object, the Aztecs used obsidian to make mirrors for themselves. They became a symbol for their rulers, who watched their subjects from a double-sided mirror, or so it was said. It was also rumored that the Emperor Moctezuma II saw the downfall of his people reflected in the obsidian surface brought to him by a bird. Many of these are now on display in museums, as they have survived and retained much of their incredible glossiness.

by: Robert Nickel

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