![]() ![]() Many other uses have been suggested by researchers, from grinding drugs to paints and other items. But the more I read the less I began to think palettes were used that way. Some of the items they imported from central Mexico, per Bentiron, were pyrite mirrors. Maybe they were more contemporary in their thinking than anyone thought: one researcher says the palettes were used for grinding psychotropic drugs. At least that's my layman's "take" on it.Įd, I did a little searching on the topic of Hohokam palettes and found some interesting stuff (see links below). It sort've relates to Greek and Roman gods who personified natural forces and events like Posiedon (ocean), Dionysus (wine), Hestia ( maiden goddess of the hearth who presided over the baking of bread, mankind's staple food) etc. There, every animal and natural event, from wind to fire, was considered mystical and divine. In order for us to begin to understand them we have to set aside our own view of the world and enter their naturalistic realm. At that time they were probably considered to be essentially the same group. There's no question in my mind that there was a lot of interaction and trade between Mesoamerica and the American southwest cultures. This has led to the frequent misidentification of pyrite mirror backs as paint palettes, painted discs or pot lids.* By the Postclassic period obsidian mirrors became increasingly common. *Pyrite degrades with time to leave little more than a stain on the mirror back by the time it is excavated. Mosaic pyrite mirrors were crafted across large parts of Mesoamerica in the Classic period, particularly at Teotihuacan and throughout the Maya region. By the Classic period, mosaic mirrors were being produced from a variety of ores, allowing for the construction of larger mirrors. I ran across a reference that might possibly hold clues to the Hohokam palettes:Įarly mirrors were fashioned from single pieces of iron ore, polished to produce a highly reflective surface. They could see it but not interact with it. The Olmecs and other Mesoamerican cultures were deeply fond of mirrors and saw their reflections as portals to another realm. I’ll keep my eyes openĮd, without seeing the palettes up close and personal it's hard for me to even have a theory about their use. When the ball court building declined and mounds started to rise? Plus the whole mystery of what occurred. Most likely the games were played with a rubber ball - not a stone sphere-īut maybe, there was rubber shortage and they resorted to stone spheres?Īnother important aspect is that I hadn’t realized that cliff dwellers built ball courts. I’ve read many accounts of rubberize balls being found. One can only wonder what made a certain tribe leave the Central American area It just a bit smoothed over from the raw archeological facts. So their displays can be a bit misleading. Well… they have to make the information palatable for the tourist traffic. Presents information that’s a little smooth around the edges. I think the Pueblo Grande Museum, on the surface, ![]() Every time I look into the Hohokam tradition Those link help verify many of my notions. Rick: I got a little goofy last night andĮxcept for a bit of foggy head this morning, Later I’ll post some pictures from the museum. These palettesĮxcept the palettes were shallow polish stone that was rectangular shape The reason I ask is that in Hohokam burials ![]()
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