|
'In the context of Pre-Columbian art and
archaeology, jade is a generic term that refers to
any
variety of hard, dense stones that were worked
with
great skill by native artists. Although
jade is generally thought to be green, it can
actually
be a range of colors. Jade carving
flourished in ancient Costa Rica for over a
thousand
years, roughly from 500 B.C. to 900 A.D.,
although the period of greatest artistic
accomplishment lasted from 300 to 700 A.D. It is
believed that jade working began during an
extended period of agricultural abundance that
allowed the ancient society to dedicate part of its
energies toward the cultivation of artistic
pursuits.
Jade was considered to be a sacred material by
the
ancient populations of Costa Rica, held in
even higher esteem than gold. Generally, it was
thought to symbolize that vital life force that
sustains us all. The color green is naturally
associated with verdant plant life. Specifically,
jade
was thought to symbolize the sprouting maize
plant, that staple of the Pre-Columbian diet. It
has also been suggested that jade represents
water.
Either way, we can be certain that jade
represented the very essence of life itself.
To date, no native sources of jade have been
discovered in Costa Rica, suggesting an
extended trade network existed that imported
this
precious resource from Mesoamerica into
Costa Rica where it was carved by local artists.
Such
trade also would have brought great
wealth and likely reinforced the social
stratification
of the peoples. Jade may have served as a
status marker to distinguish the elite from the
masses and solidify their hold on power. We
can picture an ancient ruler or shaman presiding
over a sacred ceremonial adorned in brilliant
green jade pendants and jewelry. The ancient
Costa
Ricans believe that the system of social
hierarchy also extended into the afterlife.
Therefore,
jade objects were buried with the elite so
that their power could be maintained throughout
eternity.
- (CK.0869)
|
