The nine turquoise mosaics from Mexico are some the most striking pieces in the collections of the British Museum. Among the few surviving such artifacts, these exquisite objects include two masks, a shield, a knife, a helmet, a double-headed serpent, a mosaic on a human skull, a jaguar, and an animal head. They all originate from the Mixtec and Aztec civilizations first encountered by Europeans during the Spanish conquest in the early sixteenth century. The mosaics have long excited admiration for their masterful blend of technical skill and artistry and fascination regarding their association with ritual and ceremony. Only recently though, have scientific investigations undertaken by the British Museum dramatically advanced knowledge of the mosaics by characterizing, for the first time, the variety of natural materials that were used to create them.
Illustrated with more than 160 color images, this book describes the recent scientific findings about the mosaics in detail, revealing them to be rich repositories of information about ancient Mexico. The materials used to construct the mosaics demonstrate their makers’ deep knowledge of the natural world and its resources. The effort that would have been involved in procuring the materials testifies to the mosaics’ value and significance in a society imbued with myths and religious beliefs. The British Museum’s analyses have provided evidence of the way that the materials were prepared and assembled, the tools used, and the choices that were made by artisans. In addition, by drawing on historical accounts including early codices, as well as recent archaeological discoveries, specialists have learned more about the place of the mosaics in ancient Mexican culture.
Filled with information about the religion, art, and natural and cultural history as well as the extraordinary ability of modern science to enable detailed insight into past eras, Turquoise Mosaics from Mexico offers an overview of the production, utilization, and eventual fate of these beautiful and mysterious objects.

Turquoise Mosaics from Mexico

Arts & Photography

Middleton, Andrew

McEwan, Colin

Cartwright, Caroline

Stacey, Rebecca

History & Criticism

Duke University Press Books

The nine turquoise mosaics from Mexico are some the most striking pieces in the collections of the British Museum. Among the few surviving such artifacts, these exquisite objects include two masks, a shield, a knife, a helmet, a double-headed serpent, a mosaic on a human skull, a jaguar, and an animal head. They all originate from the Mixtec and Aztec civilizations first encountered by Europeans during the Spanish conquest in the early sixteenth century. The mosaics have long excited admiration for their masterful blend of technical skill and artistry and fascination regarding their association with ritual and ceremony. Only recently though, have scientific investigations undertaken by the British Museum dramatically advanced knowledge of the mosaics by characterizing, for the first time, the variety of natural materials that were used to create them. 
Illustrated with more than 160 color images, this book describes the recent scientific findings about the mosaics in detail, revealing them to be rich repositories of information about ancient Mexico. The materials used to construct the mosaics demonstrate their makers’ deep knowledge of the natural world and its resources. The effort that would have been involved in procuring the materials testifies to the mosaics’ value and significance in a society imbued with myths and religious beliefs. The British Museum’s analyses have provided evidence of the way that the materials were prepared and assembled, the tools used, and the choices that were made by artisans. In addition, by drawing on historical accounts including early codices, as well as recent archaeological discoveries, specialists have learned more about the place of the mosaics in ancient Mexican culture. 
Filled with information about the religion, art, and natural and cultural history as well as the extraordinary ability of modern science to enable detailed insight into past eras, Turquoise Mosaics from Mexico offers an overview of the production, utilization, and eventual fate of these beautiful and mysterious objects.

These eighteen papers provide an up-to-date review of current work in thin-section studies. Some are concerned with methods (one includes a new set of comparison charts for the visual estimation of percentages), others are examples of applications in practice; many papers combine method and application, with examples ranging from Neolithic Ireland to the Islamic World, and from the Cypriot and Roman Mediterranean to Mayan Mesoamerica.

Recent Developments in Ceramic Petrology

Freestone, Ian

British Museum Press

This text challenges binary perceptions of space and explores the possibilities afforded by a hybrid learning space at the intersection of physical, virtual, formal and informal spaces. It examines how new technologies and modes of delivery, including media-enhanced learning and open education, present opportunities as well as challenges. Chapters are supported by a wealth of case studies which illustrate academic innovation in diverse learning spaces and demonstrate how it can be used to inspire learners and promote student engagement. Packed with practical guidance and questions for reflection and discussion, this thought-provoking and timely guide is an essential resource for anyone involved in improving the student learning experience. 

Reimagining Spaces for Learning in Higher Education (Teaching and Learning, 1)

Education & Teaching

Higher & Continuing Education

Red Globe Press

Radiography of Cultural Material

Radiography can be an invaluable tool for the study of a diverse array of cultural materials including metals, ceramics, paper, paintings and human and animal remains. In this book, experts in the field bring to life their experiences with the different materials, describing the techniques that can be employed to discover the stories behind the objects. This second edition, available in paperback for the first time, includes new case studies and images, as well as whole new sections on digital imaging, quality control and animal mummies.

Crafts, Hobbies & Home

Tum, Julia

Antiques & Collectibles

Routledge

Color photographs and descriptive text explore the skilled creation of rugs from Persia, Tibet, China, and India

Rugs & Carpets: Techniques, Traditions & Designs

Mitchell Beazley

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