The mirrors from Chiapa de Corzo: an early example for the Classic pyrite mirrors?

Abstract

Smith and Kidder (1951:44) were among the first to highlight pyrite pre-Hispanic mirrors as “marvels of painstaking craftsmanship.” These mirrors present reflective surfaces consisting of 20–50 pyrite tesserae with beveled edges, perfectly cut, and average 2 mm in thickness. The first known examples of mirrors in Mesoamerica were the “Olmec” type—a concave mirror created from a single hematite piece developed during the Middle Preclassic period. Later, in the Classic period, pyrite mosaic mirrors replaced them. Unfortunately, we do not understand the changes from one type to the other. In this work, we present two pyrite mirrors found at the site of Chiapa de Corzo, Chiapas, Mexico, dating around 700–500 b.c., as possible forerunners of Classic pyrite mirrors. Also, we present traceological analysis of their manufacturing process using experimental archaeology and scanning electron microscopy. Based on these examinations, we identify likely materials and techniques employed in crafting them. We posit that production of these mirrors could have been the result of the development of specialized artisans at distinct workshops, increasing the complexity and labor investment in the lapidary objects as prestige goods.

Mesoamerican iron-ore mirrors found in Costa Rica: unraveling the interaction between the Chibcha and Maya regions

“…At the site, some partially disturbed burials were excavated, one of which yielded 21 square or rectangular pyrite tesserae, measuring 1 cm 2 , together with three flat ceramic fragments (Figure 7) that appear to be from the back of the mirror (Guerrero 1986:177, Figure 12.10). In form, they are similar to those used on pyrite mirrors at the site of Chiapas de Corzo (Gallaga et al 2023) and Tak'alik Ab'aj (Schieber de Lavarreda et al 2023). Guerrero (1986) has proposed that the destruction of funerary sites in this area is due to the quantity of jade artifacts that were deposited as funeral offerings, together with ceremonial metates and mace heads, a funerary pattern that resembles that found at Las Huacas.…”