[Aztlan] Prehispanic "Sunglasses"

[kim Goldsmith]

This is in answer to Sven.  The prehispanic peoples in Mesoamerica did not manufacture glass.  The only glass available to them would be obsidian, which is a naturally occuring volcanic glass.  If it is worked thin enough, you can pretty much see through it.

The only other material that I can think of that could have been used for "sunglasses" is mica.  This is a kind of transparentish sheetrock that breaks off in layers and can also be made rather thin.  My understanding (although it may be urban legend) is that some of the first cars ever made had mica windows.

The Rain God usually has "googles" around his eyes, but I have never seen anything to indicate that they are not simply rings with nothing inside.  They don't even have a nosebridge or anything that appears to hold them onto the face.

I might add that even now, during my experiences of working with different Maya in several jungle regions of Mexico, they don't wear sunglasses even though they are now available and some of the elders would have enough money to purchase them.

Hope that helps!

KIM