Central Mexico, as a volcanically active region, has abundant sources of obsidian. The properties of obsidian, however, make it an excellent material for creating blades from cores. Microblades are not exclusive to obsidian, but can be created from any number of crystalline or vitreous rock. By applying pressure to the edge of a larger “core” stone, a blade the length of the core can be flaked off and then used by itself or attached to a haft. In the late Pleistocene, the major innovation was the use of microblades. Rather than devising high temperature kilns to melt these rocks, they instead innovated numerous techniques to maximize the cutting edge and durability of their materials. Humans in the past very astutely recognized the properties of obsidian and other stones used to make tools. Smaller knives of obsidian were made and used, but a long “sword” of obsidian thin and light enough wield would very quickly snap and shatter. ![]() Also, while obsidian is fairly hard and can produce extraordinary sharp edges, it is a brittle material. Obsidian produces excellent blades by simply fracturing the stone. ![]() Melting and then casting obsidian would be a tremendous waste of time and materials. Casting molten obsidian can also be done, but the real question is why would anyone do such a thing? It does, after all, start life as molten lava which then rapidly cools, producing the glass-like substance in question here. Obsidian can be melted to a liquid state. Previous AMAs | Previous Roundtables Featuresįeature posts are posted weekly. May 25th | Panel AMA with /r/AskBibleScholars Please Subscribe to our Google Calendar for Upcoming AMAs and Events To nominate someone else as a Quality Contributor, message the mods. Our flaired users have detailed knowledge of their historical specialty and a proven record of excellent contributions to /r/AskHistorians. Please Read and Understand the Rules Before Contributing. Report Comments That Break Reddiquette or the Subreddit Rules. Serious On-Topic Comments Only: No Jokes, Anecdotes, Clutter, or other Digressions. Provide Primary and Secondary Sources If Asked. Write Original, In-Depth and Comprehensive Answers, Using Good Historical Practices. Questions should be clear and specific in what they ask, and should be able to get detailed answers from historians whose expertise is likely to be in particular times and places. Nothing Less Than 20 Years Old, and Don't Soapbox. Be Nice: No Racism, Bigotry, or Offensive Behavior. Downvote and Report comments that are unhelpful or grossly off-topic.Upvote informative, well sourced answers.You can slash their arms, legs, neck, and that thong isn't gonna protect them for long.New to /r/AskHistorians? Please read our subreddit rules and FAQ before posting! Apply for Flair That being said, goblins wear a breastplate and thong. It'll do great against armor, but lacks the material value to combat against an armored foe. We don't have equipment damage yet, so your obsidian sword won't break, but it's also poor for stabbing with. ![]() Their weapons worked against what they faced, but not against a stronger foe.Įither way, obsidian in-game has a good edge to it, and can do a bit of damage. Either way, the Aztecs were cool, but still got pwnd by anyone with armor because they lacked the same hard metal weapons. You can make another on the way home, or carry a spare! Not like it would be very heavy, after all. When it's that cheap, it doesn't matter if it breaks. But, when you can make a weapon by carrying a stick and finding a boulder to chip some flakes on, it can afford to be expendable. Even on unarmored opponents it would hit bone and chip, or just dull itself on skin. Oh yes, it's very much a short-term weapon.
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