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Is it possible in Costa Rica to find works of jade made by indigenous tribes?
What is the most likely source and why?
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M$1 Answer
Yes it is highly possible .
"Jadeite is presumed one of the most precious materials of Pre-Columbian Costa Rica. It, along with other similar looking greenstones ( ex. chalcedony, serpentine, and green jasper) were cherished and worked upon for years. It was used to decorate the body and presumably a symbol of power.Timeline
There are three main periods in Costa Rican Jade Tradition, they correspond with the second half of Mid-Preclassic to Late Classic Periods in Mesoamerica.
1. Beginning Period: 500 BC- 300 AD 2. Florescent Period: 300-900 AD 3. Decadent Period: 700-900 AD .The end of the jade tradition in Costa Rica corresponds with the beginning of gold work."
Likely source and trade patterns
Most of the Jade work in Costa Rica was done with a particular type. It was a deep, blue-green color, and the same type the Olmecs used. In 1998 an enormous region of this particular jade was uncovered after a hurricane in Guatemala. The area is located in south east Guatemala In the Motagua River Valley. It is about the size of Rhode Island, and has evidence of ancient mining. This is the likely source of both the Olmec and Costa Rican jade. This implies a significant long-distance trade hundreds of years before Christ. Postulated by David Mora there was a direct exchange network between the previously mentioned area in Guatemala (in the Mayan lowlands) and the northwestern/ central areas of Costa Rica between 300 BC and 800 AD, in which Costa Ricans obtain jade. Also, the jade tradition died down due to the collapse of (the Olmec's)Copan, the presumed trade center for the jade." {all of the above information was obtain from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Costa_Rican_jade_tradition)
"Jadeite is presumed one of the most precious materials of Pre-Columbian Costa Rica. It, along with other similar looking greenstones ( ex. chalcedony, serpentine, and green jasper) were cherished and worked upon for years. It was used to decorate the body and presumably a symbol of power.Timeline
There are three main periods in Costa Rican Jade Tradition, they correspond with the second half of Mid-Preclassic to Late Classic Periods in Mesoamerica.
1. Beginning Period: 500 BC- 300 AD 2. Florescent Period: 300-900 AD 3. Decadent Period: 700-900 AD .The end of the jade tradition in Costa Rica corresponds with the beginning of gold work."
Likely source and trade patterns
Most of the Jade work in Costa Rica was done with a particular type. It was a deep, blue-green color, and the same type the Olmecs used. In 1998 an enormous region of this particular jade was uncovered after a hurricane in Guatemala. The area is located in south east Guatemala In the Motagua River Valley. It is about the size of Rhode Island, and has evidence of ancient mining. This is the likely source of both the Olmec and Costa Rican jade. This implies a significant long-distance trade hundreds of years before Christ. Postulated by David Mora there was a direct exchange network between the previously mentioned area in Guatemala (in the Mayan lowlands) and the northwestern/ central areas of Costa Rica between 300 BC and 800 AD, in which Costa Ricans obtain jade. Also, the jade tradition died down due to the collapse of (the Olmec's)Copan, the presumed trade center for the jade." {all of the above information was obtain from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Costa_Rican_jade_tradition)
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
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